advancement

noun

ad·​vance·​ment əd-ˈvan(t)-smənt 

plural advancements

1

: the action of advancing : the state of being advanced:

a

: promotion or elevation to a higher rank or position

b

: progression to a higher stage of development

2

: an improved feature : improvement

3

medical : surgical detachment of a muscle or tendon from its insertion followed by reattachment at a more advanced point from its insertion

Best results are obtained by simple excision and meticulous repair or advancement of the triceps tendon to the olecranon.

—Panayiotis J. Papagelopoulos et al.

Synonyms

• ascent
• creation
• elevation
• preference
• preferment
• promotion
• rise
• upgrade
• upgrading

Examples of advancement in a Sentence

A motor inside the camera is used for advancement of the film.

She contributed greatly to the advancement of the new organization.

working for the advancement of learning

The program supports economic advancement in rural areas.

This new method is a great advancement over past techniques.

The job offers many opportunities for professional advancement.

He is being considered for advancement.

a series of rapid career advancements

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2025 After much advancement and excitement around AI technologies in 2024, the coming year promises to be much more measured and thoughtful. —Arjun Pillai, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

Their efforts focus on solving key challenges that have impeded the advancement of fusion technology for over seventy years. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025

Before this advancement, a similar action would require multiple steps. —Iyaz Akhtar, PCMAG, 23 Jan. 2025

The lawsuit alleges the misconduct continued into last year, when advancements in DNA technology led to the identification of a new possible suspect who killed himself after police took a DNA swab from him. —CBS News, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration (after advance entry 1) of Middle English avauncement, borrowed from Anglo-French avancement, from avancer "to advance entry 1" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing advancement

• self-advancement

Kids Definition

advancement

noun

ad·​vance·​ment əd-ˈvan(t)-smənt 

1

: the action of advancing : the state of being advanced

2

a

: a raising or being raised to a higher rank or position

b

: progression to a higher stage of development

3

: an improved feature

Medical Definition

advancement

noun

ad·​vance·​ment əd-ˈvan(t)-smənt 

: detachment of a muscle or tendon from its insertion and reattachment (as in the surgical correction of strabismus) at a more advanced point from its insertion

flexor tendon advancement

Legal Definition

advancement

noun

ad·​vance·​ment

: something given in advance

specifically : money or property given as a gift by a living person (as by a parent to a child) with the intention that the amount the recipient inherits under the law from the person's estate will be reduced proportionately compare ademption

Note: The Uniform Probate Code requires written evidence that the gift was intended to be an advancement. A person who gives a gift that is not intended as an advancement cannot later change it to an advancement. A gift given as an advancement can, however, be changed into an outright gift.