progress

[n. prog-res, -ruh s or, esp. British, proh-gres; v. pruh-gres] /n. ˈprɒg rɛs, -rəs or, esp. British, ˈproʊ grɛs; v. prəˈgrɛs/
noun
1.
a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage:
the progress of a student toward a degree.
2.
developmental activity in science, technology, etc., especially with reference to the commercial opportunities created thereby or to the promotion of the material well-being of the public through the goods, techniques, or facilities created.
3.
advancement in general.
4.
growth or development; continuous improvement:
He shows progress in his muscular coordination.
5.
the development of an individual or society in a direction considered more beneficial than and superior to the previous level.
6.
Biology. increasing differentiation and perfection in the course of ontogeny or phylogeny.
7.
forward or onward movement:
the progress of the planets.
8.
the forward course of action, events, time, etc.
9.
an official journey or tour, as by a sovereign or dignitary.
verb (used without object), progress
10.
to go forward or onward in space or time:
The wagon train progressed through the valley. As the play progressed, the leading man grew more inaudible.
11.
to grow or develop, as in complexity, scope, or severity; advance:
Are you progressing in your piano studies? The disease progressed slowly.
Idioms
12.
in progress, going on; under way; being done; happening:
The meeting was already in progress.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English progresse (noun) < Latin prōgressus a going forward, equivalent to prōgred-, stem of prōgredī to advance (prō- pro-1 + -gredī, combining form of gradī to step; see grade) + -tus suffix of v. action
Related forms
unprogressed, adjective
Synonyms
1. advance, progression. 4. increase; betterment. 11. proceed; develop, improve, grow, increase.
Antonyms
1. regression. 11. regress.
Examples from the web for progress
  • In folklore the pig is considered an animal of progress because it moves forward while rooting around for food.
  • The arts do not progress but move along by surges and sags.
  • Both sites are still works in progress, and each invites you to help it fill many holes in species descriptions and photographs.
  • However, even quick progress in the world of transmission is slow.
  • It is a commonly held view that evolution implies progress, even among those who believe in natural selection.
  • After some procrastination, it has also continued the progress in education.
  • The alternative viewpoint, that striving for progress today benefits future generations, has gone out of fashion.
  • The big data revolution has unleashed a complex relationship between economic growth and social progress.
  • Further progress may generate profound economic change, they say.
  • Yet his work is historically of great value as marking the progress and scope of foreign influences.
British Dictionary definitions for progress

progress

noun (ˈprəʊɡrɛs)
1.
movement forwards, esp towards a place or objective
2.
satisfactory development, growth, or advance: she is making progress in maths
3.
advance towards completion, maturity, or perfection: the steady onward march of progress
4.
(modifier) of or relating to progress: a progress report
5.
(biology) increasing complexity, adaptation, etc, during the development of an individual or evolution of a group
6.
(Brit) a stately royal journey
7.
in progress, taking place; under way
verb (prəˈɡrɛs)
8.
(intransitive) to move forwards or onwards, as towards a place or objective
9.
to move towards or bring nearer to completion, maturity, or perfection
Word Origin
C15: from Latin prōgressus a going forwards, from prōgredī to advance, from pro-1 + gradī to step
Word Origin and History for progress
n.

late 14c., "a going on, action of walking forward," from Old French progres (Modern French progrès), from Latin progressus "a going forward," from past participle of progredi (see progression).

In early use in English especially "a state journey by royalty." Figurative sense of "growth, development, advancement to higher stages" is from c.1600. To be in progress "underway" is attested by 1849. Progress report attested by 1865.

v.

1590s in the literal sense; c.1600 in the figurative sense, from progress (n.). OED says the verb was obsolete in English 18c. but was reformed or retained in America and subsequently long regarded in Britain as an Americanism. Related: Progressed; progressing.

Idioms and Phrases with progress

progress

see: in progress