ad·vance
əd-ˈvan(t)s 
advanced; advancing
1
: to accelerate the growth or progress of
advance a cause
2
: to bring or move forward
advance a pawn
3
: to raise to a higher rank
was advanced from clerk to assistant manager
4
archaic
: to lift up : raise
5
: to bring forward in time
especially
: to make earlier
advance the date of the meeting
6
: to bring forward for notice, consideration, or acceptance : propose
advance an idea
7
: to supply or furnish in expectation of repayment
advance a loan
8
: to raise in rate : increase
advance the rent
1
: to move forward : proceed
an advancing army
2
: to make progress : increase
advance in age
3
: to rise in rank, position, or importance
advance through the ranks
4
: to rise in rate or price
advancing wages
advancer
noun
1
: a moving forward
halted the enemy's advances
2
a
: progress in development
… mistaking material advance for spiritual enrichment.—
H. J. Laski
H. J. Laski
b
: a progressive step : improvement
an advance in medical technique
3
: a rise in price, value, or amount
The workers won wage advances.
4
: a first step or approach made (as to gain favor or form an acquaintance)
especially
: the act of speaking to someone in an effort to start a sexual relationship
—usually plural
She rejected his advances.
The report alleges that the supervisor repeatedly made unwanted/improper sexual advances towards subordinates.
5
: a provision of something (such as money or goods) before a return is received
I need an advance on my salary.
also
: the money or goods supplied
received a $100,000 advance on his new book
1
: made, sent, or furnished ahead of time
advance sales
2
: going or situated before
an advance party of soldiers
Synonyms
Examples of advance in a Sentence
Verb
The car advanced slowly down the street.
The sun slowly advanced across the sky.
She opened the door and advanced cautiously into the room.
advance the hands of a clock
The film is advanced by an electric motor.
The team advanced the ball steadily down the field.
Our understanding of this disease has advanced rapidly in recent years.
The team did not advance beyond the first round of the play-offs.
The company tries to keep up with advancing technology.
As he advanced in age and stature he advanced in knowledge.
Noun
trying to halt the enemy's advance
trying to halt the enemy's advances
a big advance in technology
The new system represents a considerable advance over the old one.
There have been few advances made in the treatment of this disease.
There has been little advance made in the treatment of this disease.
The workers won wage advances.
a yearlong advance in stock prices
Adjective
an advance copy of a new book
Recent Examples on the WebTom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 19 Apr. 2024
Iran’s nuclear program has rapidly advanced to producing enriched uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
The team advanced to the NCAA Women’s Tournament Elite Eight.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024
Over the past decade, the Modi administration has rallied Hindu nationalists and advanced the Hindutva agenda nationwide.
—Aakash Hassan, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2024
Church traditions honor these local saints for their efforts to advance the faith and remember them for their gruesome deaths.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 18 Apr. 2024
Hardeman always asks tough questions, confronts uncomfortable realities with grace, and through her unwavering determination offers all of us a path forward toward truly advancing birth equity.
—Rachel Hardeman, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
McEntire selected the brothers to advance to the Playoffs.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
The top two vote-getters in each race, except the presidential primary, will advance to the fall runoff regardless of political party.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024
After all, the chipmaking advances demonstrated in last year’s Mate 60 smartphone showed how China’s semiconductor efforts were more resilient against export controls than many had hoped.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
In the past, the road to transplant might have ended here, but a medical advance had dramatically expanded the pool of donors for patients such as Arias.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024
At Baker Elementary School in San Diego, kids look forward to the book party every year for weeks in advance.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
It's become more difficult to identify motivations behind mass casualty attacks: DHS
In the 21st century, such threat actors are aided by a mushrooming array of technological advances that offer new, creative tools – like cyberattacks.
—Josh Margolin, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2024
Regardless of whether cloud seeding occurred, the storm was part of an extreme set up that appeared in forecast models days in advance.
—Cnn Com Wire Service, Orange County Register, 17 Apr. 2024
Fans can sign up for the advance presale until April 25 at the tour’s official website.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2024
For the best selection, consider ordering in advance.
—Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024
Capacity will be limited with advance registration and timed ticketing.
—Sarah Murphy, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024
At the dinner, the two men, along with others gathered, discussed starting an AI lab that would be transparent, open-source, and dedicated to democratizing the benefits of advance artificial intelligence.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2023
While many of the stops are within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and leaf peeping, those looking to go a little farther can bring a bicycle on board for an additional fee ($3 to $8 per ride), with advance registration.
—Patricia Harris and David Lyon, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
The plaintiffs in Wednesday's suit allege that, unlike the 2019 Florida show, there was no advance notice of the late start, leaving concertgoers hung up waiting for the December show to start.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2024
The event will take place from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public with advance registration at jimirsaycollection.com.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2023
An article on Friday about Israel’s accusations that several freelance photographers for major news organizations had advance knowledge of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, based on information from an editor at The Times, misstated when Yousef Masoud woke to the sound of rocket fire.
—New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Admission is free but advance registration is requested.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Verb
The Tigers advanced to Saturday's national finals along with No. 3 California, which scored 197.7125, while Stanford (197.075) was eliminated along with the Razorbacks.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 19 Apr. 2024
Iran’s nuclear program has rapidly advanced to producing enriched uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
The team advanced to the NCAA Women’s Tournament Elite Eight.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024
Over the past decade, the Modi administration has rallied Hindu nationalists and advanced the Hindutva agenda nationwide.
—Aakash Hassan, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2024
Church traditions honor these local saints for their efforts to advance the faith and remember them for their gruesome deaths.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 18 Apr. 2024
Hardeman always asks tough questions, confronts uncomfortable realities with grace, and through her unwavering determination offers all of us a path forward toward truly advancing birth equity.
—Rachel Hardeman, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
McEntire selected the brothers to advance to the Playoffs.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
The top two vote-getters in each race, except the presidential primary, will advance to the fall runoff regardless of political party.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
Because space for the event is limited, residents are required to register in advance.
—Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024
After all, the chipmaking advances demonstrated in last year’s Mate 60 smartphone showed how China’s semiconductor efforts were more resilient against export controls than many had hoped.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
In the past, the road to transplant might have ended here, but a medical advance had dramatically expanded the pool of donors for patients such as Arias.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024
At Baker Elementary School in San Diego, kids look forward to the book party every year for weeks in advance.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
It's become more difficult to identify motivations behind mass casualty attacks: DHS
In the 21st century, such threat actors are aided by a mushrooming array of technological advances that offer new, creative tools – like cyberattacks.
—Josh Margolin, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2024
Regardless of whether cloud seeding occurred, the storm was part of an extreme set up that appeared in forecast models days in advance.
—Cnn Com Wire Service, Orange County Register, 17 Apr. 2024
Fans can sign up for the advance presale until April 25 at the tour’s official website.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2024
For the best selection, consider ordering in advance.
—Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Adjective
There’s been little advance word about what the new album sounds like.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024
Capacity will be limited with advance registration and timed ticketing.
—Sarah Murphy, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024
At the dinner, the two men, along with others gathered, discussed starting an AI lab that would be transparent, open-source, and dedicated to democratizing the benefits of advance artificial intelligence.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2023
While many of the stops are within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and leaf peeping, those looking to go a little farther can bring a bicycle on board for an additional fee ($3 to $8 per ride), with advance registration.
—Patricia Harris and David Lyon, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
The plaintiffs in Wednesday's suit allege that, unlike the 2019 Florida show, there was no advance notice of the late start, leaving concertgoers hung up waiting for the December show to start.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2024
The event will take place from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public with advance registration at jimirsaycollection.com.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2023
An article on Friday about Israel’s accusations that several freelance photographers for major news organizations had advance knowledge of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, based on information from an editor at The Times, misstated when Yousef Masoud woke to the sound of rocket fire.
—New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Admission is free but advance registration is requested.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'advance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near advance
Cite this Entry
“Advance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advance. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
advance
1 of 3 verb
ad·vance
əd-ˈvan(t)s
advanced; advancing
1
: to move forward
advance a few yards
2
: to help the progress of
sacrifices that advance the cause of freedom
3
: to raise to a higher rank or position : promote
was advanced from clerk to assistant manager
4
: to give and expect to be paid back
advance a loan
5
: suggest sense 1, propose
advance a new plan
advancer
noun
advance
2 of 3 noun1
: a forward movement
2
: progress in development : improvement
recent advances in medicine
3
: a rise in price, value, or amount
4
: a first step or approach
an unfriendly look discourages advances
5
a
: the giving of something in payment (as money) before goods or services are received
I need an advance on my salary
b
: the money or goods given
advance
3 of 3 adjective1
: made, sent, or furnished ahead of time
an advance payment
2
: going or situated before
an advance guard
an advance scout
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