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
progressed; progressing; progresses
1
: to move forward : proceed
2
: to develop to a higher, better, or more advanced stage
Synonyms
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
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Raman said her office has made serious progress on street homelessness, moving unhoused residents indoors from more than a dozen major encampments.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024
Her work uses humor to explore Black characters who are confronted with their own internal contradictions, reflecting her interest in community, femininity, and narratives of Black progress.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 2 Mar. 2024
The Brown Deer Police Department said they were dispatched to Walmart, 6300 W. Brown Deer Road, at about 3:18 p.m. for a fight in progress.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024
Community leaders said the true test of progress on health outcomes will be how the District partners with local organizations that residents already trust.
—Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
Booker, a rising prospect and one of two Jayhawks invited to this week’s NFL Combine, said Jayhawks strength coach Matt Gildersleeve is a fan of taking before-and-after photos to show progress.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024
While the latest read on the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge showed progress toward the central bank’s target, Thursday’s data also highlighted the choppiness of this yearslong battle to rein in spiking prices: Prices rose in January from December at their fastest clip in months.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024
However, amidst these challenges, opportunities for progress abound.
—Monica Sanders, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
Shania Russell, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2024
The difference was Harvard-Westlake picked up the energy and execution on its end, swinging the momentum in its favor as the game progressed.
—Dan Lovi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
Promising Results Regarding impact, students who begin below the 25th percentile typically progress to above the 50th percentile within one year of using the program.
—Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
In one video, which has been viewed by more than 3.8 million people, Sandy shows how Evelyn has progressed from her first ride to then using bindings at 11 months in Park City, Utah.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
While that plan wasn’t adopted, the Service Employees International Union, a labor group that was the driving force behind the bill, decided to accept a narrower carve-out as the talks progressed — one that would only apply to restaurants operating bakeries.
—Daniela Sirtori-Cortina, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024
Related article Teen phenom Olivia Moultrie scores a brace for US women in 5-0 rout of Dominican Republic
Despite its setback, the US still progresses to the quarterfinals of the tournament, after finishing second in Group A behind La Tri.
—Ben Church, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Cody is constantly pushing himself to progress in his career which was evident by his recent graduation of the fire academy.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024
Denver was longer than the Warriors at every position, and the Nuggets’ size and physicality overwhelmed Golden State as the game progressed.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024
Noun
Congress was back to work this week but didn't make much progress on tax and spending-related bills.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Raman said her office has made serious progress on street homelessness, moving unhoused residents indoors from more than a dozen major encampments.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024
Her work uses humor to explore Black characters who are confronted with their own internal contradictions, reflecting her interest in community, femininity, and narratives of Black progress.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 2 Mar. 2024
The Brown Deer Police Department said they were dispatched to Walmart, 6300 W. Brown Deer Road, at about 3:18 p.m. for a fight in progress.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024
Community leaders said the true test of progress on health outcomes will be how the District partners with local organizations that residents already trust.
—Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
Booker, a rising prospect and one of two Jayhawks invited to this week’s NFL Combine, said Jayhawks strength coach Matt Gildersleeve is a fan of taking before-and-after photos to show progress.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024
While the latest read on the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge showed progress toward the central bank’s target, Thursday’s data also highlighted the choppiness of this yearslong battle to rein in spiking prices: Prices rose in January from December at their fastest clip in months.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024
However, amidst these challenges, opportunities for progress abound.
—Monica Sanders, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
Verb
Emma Heming Willis took to social media over the weekend to dispel reports about her husband and family’s life since his condition progressed from aphasia to frontotemporal dementia (FTD) last year.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2024
The difference was Harvard-Westlake picked up the energy and execution on its end, swinging the momentum in its favor as the game progressed.
—Dan Lovi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
Promising Results Regarding impact, students who begin below the 25th percentile typically progress to above the 50th percentile within one year of using the program.
—Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
In one video, which has been viewed by more than 3.8 million people, Sandy shows how Evelyn has progressed from her first ride to then using bindings at 11 months in Park City, Utah.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
While that plan wasn’t adopted, the Service Employees International Union, a labor group that was the driving force behind the bill, decided to accept a narrower carve-out as the talks progressed — one that would only apply to restaurants operating bakeries.
—Daniela Sirtori-Cortina, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024
Related article Teen phenom Olivia Moultrie scores a brace for US women in 5-0 rout of Dominican Republic
Despite its setback, the US still progresses to the quarterfinals of the tournament, after finishing second in Group A behind La Tri.
—Ben Church, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Cody is constantly pushing himself to progress in his career which was evident by his recent graduation of the fire academy.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024
Denver was longer than the Warriors at every position, and the Nuggets’ size and physicality overwhelmed Golden State as the game progressed.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'progress.' 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
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 1a(1)
Verb
1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of progress was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing progress
Dictionary Entries Near progress
Cite this Entry
“Progress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/progress. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on progress
Nglish: Translation of progress for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of progress for Arabic Speakers
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