progress

1 of 2

noun

prog·​ress ˈprä-grəs 

-ˌgres

US also and British usually ˈprō-ˌgres

1

a(1)

: a royal journey marked by pomp and pageant

(2)

: a state procession

b

: a tour or circuit made by an official (such as a judge)

c

: an expedition, journey, or march through a region

2

: a forward or onward movement (as to an objective or to a goal) : advance

3

: gradual betterment

especially : the progressive development of humankind

see also:

in progress

progress

2 of 2

verb

pro·​gress prə-ˈgres 

progressed; progressing; progresses

intransitive verb

1

: to move forward : proceed

2

: to develop to a higher, better, or more advanced stage

Synonyms of progress

Noun

• process
• progression
• advance
• advancement
• procession

Verb

• grow
• develop

Examples of progress in a Sentence

Noun

the rapid progress of the ship

He made slow progress down the steep cliff.

The project showed slow but steady progress.

Verb

The project has been progressing slowly.

The work is progressing and should be completed soon.

The caravan progressed slowly across the desert.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Instead, pluralism, naturally associated with diversity and popular agency, was made into the cultural face of capitalism—it was branded as a false openness mimicking the free market, as a flattening that might cause art and art history to lose the threads of progress and quality. —Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026

The 2008 crisis was when people stopped believing in ever-rising progress and affluence. —Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

Verb

These pathogens can cause problems such as gastroenteritis and diarrhea but can also progress to more serious complications including sepsis and bacteremia, a condition in which bacteria enter the bloodstream, Wang said. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

The device is worn around the neck and paired with an app called Pulsetto Wellness, which controls the device, tracks progress and offers a library of programs. —Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French progrés, from Latin progressus advance, from progredi to go forth, from pro- forward + gradi to go — more at pro-, grade entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing progress

• in progress
• make progress
• progress report
• work in progress

Rhymes for progress

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess

Kids Definition

progress

1 of 2 noun

prog·​ress ˈpräg-rəs 

-ˌres

chiefly British ˈprō-ˌgres

1

: a moving toward a goal

the progress of a ship

2

: gradual improvement or advancement

the progress of science

progress

2 of 2 verb

pro·​gress prə-ˈgres 

1

: to move forward : advance, proceed

the story progressed

how is the experiment progressing?

2

: to move toward a higher, better, or more advanced stage