progress

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

Synonyms of progress

• grow
• develop

Examples of progress in a Sentence

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

These pathogens can cause problems such as gastroenteritis and diarrhea but can also progress to more serious complications including sepsis and bacteremia, a condition in which bacteria enter the bloodstream, Wang said. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

The device is worn around the neck and paired with an app called Pulsetto Wellness, which controls the device, tracks progress and offers a library of programs. —Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026

But the effort has progressed far faster than many scientists expected. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 3 June 2026

Construction activities at the project have progressed steadily over recent years as China continues to expand its nuclear power sector. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing progress

• in 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