promote

verb

pro·​mote prə-ˈmōt How to pronounce promote (audio)
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 noun
promotable adjective
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Topline The Trump administration sued the city of Los Angeles on Monday, claiming its policy limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts promotes attacks on law enforcement, the latest legal battle centered around the L.A. protests against federal deportation raids. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Target has tapped the promotional strategy frequently in recent years, cutting or maintaining prices on important seasonal categories such as toys or Thanksgiving meal supplies, while also promoting lists of related items as falling under a certain amount. Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025 He was promoted to command the criminal investigation division as a lieutenant. Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025 In addition to adding decorative flair to windows and doors, these multipurpose window treatments promote privacy and block light, with many designs offering temperature-regulating and sound-dampening qualities to boot. Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for promote

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of promote was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Promote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promote. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

promote

verb
pro·​mote prə-ˈmōt How to pronounce promote (audio)
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 How to pronounce promote (audio)
promoted; promoting
: to cause or contribute to the growth, development, or occurrence of
sugary drinks promote cavities
a diet that promotes good health

More from Merriam-Webster on promote

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