progression

noun

pro·​gres·​sion prə-ˈgre-shən 

1

: a sequence of numbers in which each term is related to its predecessor by a uniform law

2

a

: the action or process of progressing : advance

b

: a continuous and connected series : sequence

3

a

: succession of musical tones or chords

b

: the movement of musical parts in harmony

c

: sequence sense 2c

progressional

prə-ˈgresh-nəl 

-ˈgre-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• sequence
• chain
• train

Examples of progression in a Sentence

Doctors were surprised by the rapid progression of the disease.

the natural progression of his musical talent

Recent Examples on the Web

Character progression is primarily handled through a persistent skill tree, crafting, and looting. —Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025

There was a progression from Robert Duvall’s The Outfit in 1973 to Mel Gibson’s Payback in 1999. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025

There are still plenty of unknowns about the progression of EV technology. —Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

Players will learn tactics for every map and game mode included in the Beta, explore how in-game progression works and discover which rewards will carry over to the full launch. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing progression

• arithmetic progression
• geometric progression
• harmonic progression

Rhymes for progression

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

Kids Definition

progression

noun

pro·​gres·​sion prə-ˈgresh-ən 

1

: the action of progressing or moving forward

2

: a continuous and connected series (as of acts, events, or steps)

3

: a changing from one chord to another by means of several notes or chords coming one after the other