promote

verb

pro·​mote prə-ˈmōt How to pronounce promote (audio)
promoted; promoting

transitive verb

1
a
: to advance in station, rank, or honor : raise
b
: to change (a pawn) into a piece in chess by moving to the eighth rank
c
: to advance (a student) from one grade to the next higher grade
2
a
: to contribute to the growth or prosperity of : further
promote international understanding
b
: to help bring (something, such as an enterprise) into being : launch
c
: to present (merchandise) for buyer acceptance through advertising, publicity, or discounting
3
slang : to get possession of by doubtful means or by ingenuity
promotability noun
promotable adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for promote

advance, promote, forward, further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead.

advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end.

advance the cause of peace

promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.

a campaign to promote better health

forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

Examples of promote in a Sentence

He was promoted to senior editor. The army major was promoted to lieutenant colonel. The team have been promoted to the First Division. Mediators were present to promote dialogue. Good soil promotes plant growth. The school distributed pamphlets promoting good dental hygiene. The marketing department is busy promoting the new line of men's clothes for fall. The island is being promoted as a destination for romantic getaways.
Recent Examples on the Web The Royals promoted him through their minor-league system. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024 Now some of the same voters in Michigan were promoting a campaign called Abandon Biden, and a national poll showed that his support among Arab and Muslim Americans had dropped by forty per cent. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 The follow-up was originally slated to hit the big screen last fall, but it was delayed to spring because of the actors strike, which prevented stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh and the rest of the sprawling, buzzy cast from being able to promote the movie. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024 Whitburn promoted changes to city marijuana rules at the same time Cardenas collected tens of thousands of dollars from pot industry clients, the paper reported last year. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 Trustees are also promoting new security measures being taken by the police department, in addition to a new police station. The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2024 The brand's signature Cell Service complex of growth factors and peptides essentially boosts skin's collagen and elastin product, while promoting firmer, bouncier skin. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2024 Kory and Marik have testified in statehouses across the country espousing their views of ivermectin as a treatment for covid or against legislation promoting vaccines. Lauren Weber, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Routinely following exercise guidelines can help promote physical and mental health and help your heart stay young throughout your life. William Cornwell, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'promote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin promotus, past participle of promovēre, literally, to move forward, from pro- forward + movēre to move

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of promote was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near promote

Cite this Entry

“Promote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promote. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

promote

verb
pro·​mote prə-ˈmōt How to pronounce promote (audio)
promoted; promoting
1
: to move up in position or rank
was promoted to the next grade
2
: to help (something) grow or develop
good soil promotes plant growth
3
: to help increase the sales of
a sports star promoting a new product

Medical Definition

promote

transitive verb
pro·​mote prə-ˈmōt How to pronounce promote (audio)
promoted; promoting
: to cause or contribute to the growth, development, or occurrence of
sugary drinks promote cavities
a diet that promotes good health

More from Merriam-Webster on promote

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