progress

1 of 2

noun

prog·​ress ˈprä-grəs 

-ˌgres,

 US also and British usually  ˈprō-ˌgres

1

a(1)

: a royal journey marked by pomp and pageant

(2)

: a state procession

b

: a tour or circuit made by an official (such as a judge)

c

: an expedition, journey, or march through a region

2

: a forward or onward movement (as to an objective or to a goal) : advance

3

: gradual betterment

especially : the progressive development of humankind

progress

2 of 2

verb

pro·​gress prə-ˈgres 

progressed; progressing; progresses

intransitive verb

1

: to move forward : proceed

2

: to develop to a higher, better, or more advanced stage

Phrases

in progress

: going on : occurring

Synonyms

Noun

• advance
• advancement
• furtherance
• going
• headway
• march
• onrush
• passage
• process
• procession
• progression

Verb

• age
• develop
• grow
• grow up
• mature
• ripen

Examples of progress in a Sentence

Noun

the rapid progress of the ship

He made slow progress down the steep cliff.

The project showed slow but steady progress.

Verb

The project has been progressing slowly.

The work is progressing and should be completed soon.

The caravan progressed slowly across the desert.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Brimming with character, capital city Muscat is home to cultural attractions that offer a glimpse at the country’s profound connection to its heritage while embracing a nuanced approach to modern progress. —Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

Joel, Avie, and Bryan paid keen attention to progress, leaving Gill to immerse himself in the football side and the brothers then committed to a bigger space housing 40 to 50 employees in Pall Mall at an annual rent of £5million. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025

Verb

Keep an eye on the cats' body language when they get used to each other from behind a door: if their ears are flattened, their fur standing on end, or their body posture rigid, this is negative body language, and things should not progress just yet. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

The experience of drinking French wine isn't about quantity but about savoring small servings and moving up in wine quality as the meal progresses. —Rachel King, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French progrés, from Latin progressus advance, from progredi to go forth, from pro- forward + gradi to go — more at pro-, grade entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing progress

• make progress
• progress report
• work in progress

Rhymes for progress

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess

Kids Definition

progress

1 of 2 noun

prog·​ress ˈpräg-rəs 

-ˌres,

 chiefly British  ˈprō-ˌgres

1

: a moving toward a goal

the progress of a ship

2

: gradual improvement or advancement

the progress of science

progress

2 of 2 verb

pro·​gress prə-ˈgres 

1

: to move forward : advance, proceed

the story progressed

how is the experiment progressing?

2

: to move toward a higher, better, or more advanced stage