To save this word, you'll need to log in.
ad·vance | \ əd-ˈvan(t)s 
\
\advanced; advancing
Definition of advance
(Entry 1 of 3)
1 : to accelerate the growth or progress of
advance a cause
2 : to bring or move forward
advance a pawn
3 : to raise to a higher rank
was advanced from clerk to assistant manager
5 : to bring forward in time especially : to make earlier advance the date of the meeting
6 : to bring forward for notice, consideration, or acceptance : propose advance an idea
7 : to supply or furnish in expectation of repayment
advance a loan
8 : to raise in rate : increase advance the rent
advance
nounDefinition of advance (Entry 2 of 3)
1 : a moving forward
halted the enemy's advances
2a : progress in development
… mistaking material advance for spiritual enrichment.— H. J. Laski
b : a progressive step : improvement an advance in medical technique
3 : a rise in price, value, or amount
The workers won wage advances.
4 : a first step or approach made
Her attitude discouraged all advances.
5 : a provision of something (such as money or goods) before a return is received
I need an advance on my salary. also : the money or goods supplied received a $100,000 advance on his new book
in advance in advance of
1 : to, toward, or in a place or position ahead
sent scouts out in advance
2 : before a deadline or an anticipated event
made reservations in advance
: ahead of made preparations several days in advance of her arrival
advance
adjectiveDefinition of advance (Entry 3 of 3)
1 : made, sent, or furnished ahead of time
advance sales
2 : going or situated before
an advance party of soldiers
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for advance
Synonyms: Verb
Synonyms: Noun
- advancement,
- furtherance,
- going,
- headway,
- march,
- onrush,
- passage,
- process,
- procession,
- progress,
- progression
Antonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Noun
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of advance in a Sentence
Verb
The car advanced slowly down the street.
The sun slowly advanced across the sky.
She opened the door and advanced cautiously into the room. advance the hands of a clock
The film is advanced by an electric motor.
The team advanced the ball steadily down the field.
Our understanding of this disease has advanced rapidly in recent years.
The team did not advance beyond the first round of the play-offs.
The company tries to keep up with advancing technology.
As he advanced in age and stature he advanced in knowledge. Noun
trying to halt the enemy's advance
trying to halt the enemy's advances
a big advance in technology
The new system represents a considerable advance over the old one.
There have been few advances made in the treatment of this disease.
There has been little advance made in the treatment of this disease.
The workers won wage advances.
a yearlong advance in stock prices Adjective
an advance copy of a new book
See More
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb What happened was the Bobcats advanced to regional play in Montgomery for the first time in school history in 2019.
—
Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "‘This is our chance:’ No. 5 Theodore girls have sights set on trip to Birmingham," 12 Jan. 2020 Iran also has proxies around the Middle East — groups that are not officially part of the state apparatus but which work to advance Iran's interests and receive direct support from Tehran.
—
CBS News, "Trump says four U.S. embassies were targeted in attack planned by Qassem Soleimani," 10 Jan. 2020 Throw in a bad fumble call, and boom, Clemson advances.
—
Josh Will, Cincinnati.com, "Guest TML: It can't be overstated how Joe Burrow transformed the Southeast Ohio landscape," 10 Jan. 2020 Flynn faces up to a five-year prison term under the charge, which included his misrepresentation of work advancing the interests of the Turkish government.
—
Washington Post, "Michael Flynn deserves up to six months in prison, U.S. Justice Department says in reversal for former Trump national security adviser," 7 Jan. 2020 Millions of years from now, advanced humans—or perhaps visiting aliens—may dig up the remnants of today’s civilizations.
—
Eva Frederick, Science | AAAS, "What fossils will modern-day civilization leave behind?," 6 Jan. 2020 Does knowing more trivia help someone build a better car or advance particle physics or write a more touching ballad?
—
Greg Jackson, Harper's magazine, "Vicious Cycles," 6 Jan. 2020 In nine full seasons, Garrett led the Cowboys to the playoffs three times, but never advanced past the second round.
—
Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, "With Cowboys reportedly moving on, who could replace Jason Garrett as head coach?," 3 Jan. 2020 In other cases, consulting firms or other businesses from out of town file FOIA requests to advance their interests at the expense of the municipality.
—
Joe Guillen, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan FOIA proposal would eliminate fees, reduce wait times for public records," 20 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The meeting reflected the queen's desire to contain the fallout from the independence announcement, which prompted hurt feelings among senior family members not told in advance of the decision.
—
Anchorage Daily News, "Queen agrees to let Harry and Meghan live part time in Canada," 13 Jan. 2020 Many in Congress complained that the administration did not consult them in advance and did not adequately brief members afterward.
—
Washington Post, "US points to dissent in Iran in wake of deadly drone strike," 13 Jan. 2020 Know in advance where your residence's fuse box is located and how to turn the power and circuit breakers on and off.
—
Meredith Spelbring, Detroit Free Press, "Massive ice storm headed for Michigan: What to know," 10 Jan. 2020 Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, and $17 in advance online.
—
BostonGlobe.com, "What’s happening west of Boston," 9 Jan. 2020 Courts generally don’t enforce charges unless the payer (an insurer or patient) has consented in advance to those charges.
—
Jackson Williams, STAT, "3 legal challenges could derail out-of-network surprise medical bills," 6 Jan. 2020 Minnesotans can register in advance to save time on state primary election day.
—
Bill Salisbury, Twin Cities, "When is the presidential primary? How early can I vote? Here’s your 2020 MN political calendar.," 30 Dec. 2019 But the work of putting the event together started long in advance.
—
Justin L. Mack, Indianapolis Star, "Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place delivers meals, toys and hope on Christmas morning," 25 Dec. 2019 Waiters previously had been listed as out due to illness by the Heat, with the team then initially leaving its official NBA injury report blank in advance of Friday night's visit by the Los Angeles Lakers to AmericanAirlines Arena.
—
Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "Miami Heat again suspend guard Dion Waiters, this time six games for ‘continued insubordination’," 13 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective That way, astronomers should have advance notice of where Starlink satellites will be to better plan their observations.
—
Tim Fernholz, Quartz, "SpaceX aims to appease astronomers in latest Starlink satellite launch," 6 Jan. 2020 The news comes 150 days ahead of Cedar Point's May 9 opening, but just in time for Santa to go online and buy advance tickets as stocking stuffers, and families to start making summer vacation plans.
—
Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, "Cedar Point will give away free admission for life for 150th anniversary," 11 Dec. 2019 Boeing has refused to refund advance payments for the aircraft, the company said.
—
Hanna Ziady, CNN, "Boeing hit with another lawsuit over troubled 737 Max," 18 Dec. 2019 Park officials require advance reservations, which can be made by calling the park’s visitor’s center at 541.594.3100.
—
Rob Davis | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, "Crater Lake National Park free snowshoeing tours start for 2019-20 season," 8 Dec. 2019 Jamieson said there is a set of expectations about how a president’s annual exam is handled, which includes the advance public notice that the Trump White House provided for his first two exams.
—
Washington Post, "Trump’s weekend hospital visit draws a skeptical reaction," 19 Nov. 2019 The standout junior has tallied 39 passing touchdowns this season and will look advance to the CIF Southern Section Division 7 final when West Ranch plays at Temecula Valley in the semifinals this week.
—
Staff Report, Orange County Register, "VOTE: Southern California Boys Athlete of the Week (Nov. 22)," 19 Nov. 2019 Seating is limited and advance reservations are necessary.
—
Taylor Nichole Morris, Detroit Free Press, "Where to see Santa this holiday season in metro Detroit," 16 Nov. 2019 South Africa played a leading role in these efforts to build capacity and advance African agency and self-reliance across the continent and globally, with the strong support of then President Thabo Mbeki (1999-2008).
—
John J Stremlau, Quartz Africa, "The fall of the Berlin Wall 30 years ago still resonates across Africa," 8 Nov. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'advance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for advance
advance
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of advance
(Entry 1 of 3)
: to move forward
: to move (someone or something) forward
: to go forward : to make progress : to continue in a process of development, aging, etc.
advance
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of advance (Entry 2 of 3)
: forward movement
: progress in the development or improvement of something
: a rise in price, value, or amount
advance
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of advance (Entry 3 of 3)
: made, sent, or provided at an early time
: going or placed before others
See the full definition for advance in the English Language Learners Dictionary
advance
verbad·vance | \ əd-ˈvans \
\advanced; advancing
Kids Definition of advance
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to move forward
Advance your piece five spaces on your next turn.
2 : to help the progress of
Laws were passed that advance freedom.
3 : to raise to a higher rank : promote She was advanced from teller to assistant bank manager.
4 : to give ahead of time
My boss advanced me 100 dollars from my wages.
5 : propose sense 1 The candidate advanced a new plan.
advance
nounKids Definition of advance (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a forward movement
Troops tried to halt the enemy's advance.
2 : progress in development : improvement advances in medicine
3 : a rise in price, value, or amount
4 : a first step or approach
friendly advances
5 : money given ahead of the usual time
I asked for an advance on my salary.
in advance
: before an expected event
You knew a week in advance about the test.
advance
transitive verbad·vance
advanced; advancing
Legal Definition of advance
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to supply or provide ahead of time: as
a : to give (a gift) by way of or as an advancement
b : to supply (as money) beforehand in expectation of repayment or other future adjustment
advance
nounLegal Definition of advance (Entry 2 of 2)
: a provision of something (as goods or money) before a return is received also : the money or goods supplied
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on advance
What made you want to look up advance? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Intact Latin Quiz
- What did focus mean in Latin?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Intact Latin Quiz
What did each of these words mean to ancient Romans?
Take the quiz - The Eponym Quiz
Do you know these words that come from names?
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Bee Cubed
Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.
Play the game
Share advance
Time Traveler for advance
The first known use of advance was in 1538
See more words from the same year