promote

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

Synonyms of promote

• 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

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

Over the past several months, Hanaway’s office has promoted a series of legal maneuvers and courtroom victories that have garnered less national attention than the controversies surrounding the map. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025

She’s lived in Charlotte for the better part of a decade, but Amenumey’s efforts to promote the food of Ghana still continue to pick up speed. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 22 Dec. 2025

Brian Mitchell, the department’s deputy fire chief was promoted to the top spot with the retirement of Chief Jeff Chumbley. —Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2025

While there’s little to be done at scale to prevent the spread from the current outbreak, McCombs expressed hope that the task force’s work would better prepare Colorado for beetle infestations and promote better forest management. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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