promote

verb pro·mote \ prə-ˈmōt \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of promote

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

play \prə-ˌmō-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

promotable

play \prə-ˈmō-tə-bəl\ adjective

See promote defined for English-language learners

See promote defined for kids

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 of promote from the Web

The council is an alliance of schools, hospitals, corporations and other private organization collaborating to promote economic growth and a better quality of life in the region.

— kenneth r. gosselin, courant.com, "Hundreds Graduate From University of St. Joseph," 13 May 2018
The United States and several other countries are investigating allegations of cross-border embezzlement and money laundering at 1MDB, which was set up and previously led by Najib to promote economic development.

— Washington Post, "Ex-strongman seeks legacy as savior of Malaysia’s democracy," 12 May 2018
Some use the language of the private sector, while others have begun to promote guaranteeing public sector jobs for all unemployed Americans.

— michael scherer, chicagotribune.com, "With an eye on 2020, Democrats jockey to define their party, and gain an advantage," 12 May 2018
The program aims to promote academic productivity in raising test scores and graduation rates.

— isaac hale, The Christian Science Monitor, "National program brings American Indian culture to Native students," 11 May 2018
The Post story notes that Major League Baseball hoped the finalists at each position would use social media to promote their campaigns.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "Players union reportedly rejected a major change to All-Star Game fan voting | The Kansas City Star," 11 May 2018
Composer and musician Jacob Dee of Anchorage will produce and distribute a full length studio album and go on tour in Washington and Oregon to promote the project.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Rasmuson Foundation announces 2018 award winners; Alvin Amason named ‘distinguished artist’," 11 May 2018
Improved reading is one of the goals of Milwaukee Succeeds, the everyone-at-the-table effort to promote better outcomes for children.

— alan j. borsuk, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Borsuk: Wisconsin Reading Corp tutors combat literacy crisis one child at a time," 11 May 2018
Last year Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, set up a committee to promote Islamic finance and establish Indonesia as a hub.

— The Economist, "The world’s biggest Muslim country wants to boost sharia finance," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'promote.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of promote

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

promote Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

PROMOTE Defined for English Language Learners

promote

verb

Definition of promote for English Language Learners

: to change the rank or position of (someone) to a higher or more important one
: to move (a sports team) to a higher position in a league
: to help (something) happen, develop, or increase

PROMOTE Defined for Kids

promote

verb pro·mote \ prə-ˈmōt \

Definition of promote for Students

promoted; promoting

1 : to move up in position or rank

Their daughter was promoted to the next grade.

2 : to help (something) to grow or develop

Good soil promotes plant growth.

Medical Dictionary

promote

transitive verb pro·mote \ prə-ˈmōt \

medical Definition of promote

promoted; promoting

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

sugary drinks promote cavities

a diet that promotes good health

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promote

Definition of promote

promotability

promotable

Examples of promote in a Sentence

Recent Examples of promote from the Web

Origin and Etymology of promote

promote Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of promote

Other Business Terms

PROMOTE Defined for English Language Learners

promote

Definition of promote for English Language Learners

PROMOTE Defined for Kids

promote

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Medical Dictionary

promote

medical Definition of promote

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