promote
Americanverb (used with object)
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promotes,
present (3rd person singular)
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promoted,
past participle, past
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promoting
present participle
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to help or encourage to exist or flourish; further.
to promote world peace.
- Antonyms:
- obstruct, discourage
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to advance in rank, dignity, position, etc. (opposed to demote).
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Education. to put ahead to the next higher stage or grade of a course or series of classes.
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to aid in organizing (business undertakings).
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to encourage the sales, acceptance, etc., of (a product), especially through advertising or other publicity.
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Informal. to obtain (something) by cunning or trickery; wangle.
verb
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to further or encourage the progress or existence of
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to raise to a higher rank, status, degree, etc
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to advance (a pupil or student) to a higher course, class, etc
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to urge the adoption of; work for
to promote reform
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to encourage the sale of (a product) by advertising or securing financial support
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chess to exchange (a pawn) for any piece other than a king when the pawn reaches the 8th rank
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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promotabilitynoun
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promotionnoun
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prepromoteverb (used with object)
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promotableadjective
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promotionaladjective
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self-promotingadjective
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unpromotableadjective
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unpromotedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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promotesimple
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promotessimple
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have promotedperfect
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has promotedperfect
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am promotingprogressive
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are promotingprogressive
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is promotingprogressive
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have been promotingperfect progressive
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has been promotingperfect progressive
Past
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promotedsimple
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had promotedperfect
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was promotingprogressive
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were promotingprogressive
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had been promotingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of promote
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English promoten, from Latin prōmōtus, past participle of prōmovēre “to move forward, advance”; see pro- 1, motive
Explanation
If you work for a marketing firm, your job is to promote new products — to publicize them and to try to get the public to buy them. The verb promote can also mean to advance to a higher position. Because of your hard work, your boss might decide to promote you. In school, passing students are promoted each year when they enter a higher grade. In chess, the verb promote is used when a pawn is exchanged for a higher ranking piece. Make sure you promote your pawn to a queen, giving you two queens on the board and a strong advantage in the game.
Vocabulary lists containing promote
Preamble to the U.S. Constitution (1787)
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Words for Father's Day: What Fathers Do
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Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In an earlier study published the same year, Silverman demonstrated that when neurons in this region become overexcited, they can paradoxically promote sleepiness rather than wakefulness.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
Corona Cero, the alcohol-free version of Corona sold by Anheuser-Busch InBev, is expanding an international seven-pack to promote the theme of a beer for every day of the week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
The finding revealed a previously unrecognized mechanism through which abnormal cancer cells can promote tumor growth, even when they account for only a small portion of the tumor.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026
“Working together, we can more effectively protect against voter dilution and promote election integrity.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
For her, that meant working to end slavery and to promote equality, including attending the World Anti-Slavery Convention.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Although greater activity in the locus coeruleus generally promotes alertness, excessive stimulation can have the opposite effect.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
The office “takes seriously its responsibility to protect public funds and hold itself to the standards of accountability it promotes across state government,” the spokesperson said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
It is her full-time job, and while she won't reveal how much money she makes, she says she gets most of her income from deals with brands that she promotes.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
Life Surge currently promotes its roster as “influential voices in faith & finance alongside leading worship artists.”
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
Under the conditions prevailing it provides mere paper security and promotes a completely unjustified impression that safe limits have been established and are being adhered to.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
These ingredients are frequently promoted as healthier alternatives to sugar.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
When Barbabella was recently promoted to rear admiral, Trump presided over the ceremony, held in the Oval Office.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
Elon Musk promoted the story to his 241 million followers.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026
TikTok said while certain content can't be promoted on the For You feed, it's transparent about posts that fall into this category and lets creators know so they can appeal.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Clinton gave the silver ball to Daniel Taylor, a young officer, promising that Taylor would be promoted if he got the message to Burgoyne.
From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen
"Our study elucidates LPC70's role in PG signaling, laying the groundwork for future clinical research and dietary interventions aimed at reducing hypertension-related cognitive decline and promoting healthy aging globally," concluded Prof. Mouri.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
Hardware stores across the country are promoting their shop cats as ambassadors and social media stars.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
"AI can also have a detrimental impact on climate change from that angle," said Maria Joao Sousa, executive director of Climate Change AI, a nonprofit promoting the use of AI for climate action.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
Singapore has long been promoting the Riau Islands, which includes Batam, and the Malaysian state of Johor as "complementary" regions.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
Cancer may sometimes require the complementary action of two chemicals, one of which sensitizes the cell or tissue so that it may later, under the action of another or promoting agent, develop true malignancy.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
