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

• process
• progression
• advance
• advancement
• procession

Verb

• grow
• develop

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

Focus on what’s in your control: your mindset, habits and daily progress. —Sandra Balogun, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

And on that front, Ortega says that the government does not seem to be moving in the direction of progress. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 22 July 2025

Verb

The country had turned against Argentine manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino and there was little hope that the CONCACAF giants would progress from Group C that featured Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia. —The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 23 July 2025

From there, Glenn climbed the ladder, progressing from assistant defensive backs coach for the Browns to defensive backs coach for the Saints, to Lions’ defensive coordinator in 2021. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 23 July 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