promote

1 of 2

verb

pro·​mote prə-ˈmōt 

promoted; promoting

transitive verb

1

a

: to advance in station, rank, or honor : raise

b

: to change (a pawn) into a piece in chess by moving to the eighth rank

c

: to advance (a student) from one grade to the next higher grade

2

a

: to contribute to the growth or prosperity of : further

promote international understanding

b

: to help bring (something, such as an enterprise) into being : launch

c

: to present (merchandise) for buyer acceptance through advertising, publicity, or discounting

3

slang : to get possession of by doubtful means or by ingenuity

promotability

prə-ˌmō-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

promotable

prə-ˈmō-tə-bəl 

adjective

promotability

2 of 2

noun

pro·​mot·​abil·​i·​ty prəˌmōtəˈbilətē 

: the quality or state of deserving promotion

Synonyms of promote

Verb

• sell
• publicize
• advertise

Choose the Right Synonym for promote

advance, promote, forward, further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead.

advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end.

advance the cause of peace

promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.

a campaign to promote better health

forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

Examples of promote in a Sentence

Verb

He was promoted to senior editor.

The army major was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

The team have been promoted to the First Division.

Mediators were present to promote dialogue.

Good soil promotes plant growth.

The school distributed pamphlets promoting good dental hygiene.

The marketing department is busy promoting the new line of men's clothes for fall.

The island is being promoted as a destination for romantic getaways.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Nobu was one of the pioneers in promoting the concept of family sharing at dinner, and the menu encourages guests to do so. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

With local vendors selling everything from clothing, thrift and vintage pieces, beauty products, candles, jewelry, fragrances and more, this Indie Market promotes a rotating list of merchants. — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Our role is to help boards navigate this emerging landscape by ensuring regulation keeps pace with innovation while promoting consistent, ethical standards for how AI is incorporated into clinical practice. — Humayun Chaudhry, STAT, 3 Aug. 2026

Inclusion in the schedule promotes the development and preservation of a language and allows its use in certain administrative, educational, and official contexts. — Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin promotus, past participle of promovēre, literally, to move forward, from pro- forward + movēre to move

Noun

promotable + -ity

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing promote

• cross promote

Rhymes for promote

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• demote
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• footnote

Kids Definition

promote

verb

pro·​mote prə-ˈmōt 

promoted; promoting

1

: to move up in position or rank

was promoted to the next grade

2

: to help (something) grow or develop

good soil promotes plant growth

3

: to help increase the sales of

a sports star promoting a new product

Medical Definition

promote

transitive verb

pro·​mote prə-ˈmōt 

promoted; promoting

: to cause or contribute to the growth, development, or occurrence of

sugary drinks promote cavities

a diet that promotes good health