noun / verb / adjective

advance

uhd-VANS/ʌdvˈæns/

Movement forward from a current position.

The woman advances along the path, leaving footprints behind her.

A woman moves forward along a simple path, with a short trail of footprints behind her and a clearly extended forward step into the open stretch ahead.

Etymology

advanceOld Frenchmove forward; set forward

Avancier expressed moving or setting something forward. English applies that forward motion both to physical movement and to furthering development, so making progress is advancing in a figurative sense.

In context

Center for Strategic & International Studies38:02

we have fought in World Wars in order to advance the cause of freedom and democracy

Statesmen's Forum: Stephen Hadley

More examples

Researchers celebrate an important advance in battery design.
Advance reservations are required for the evening tour.
The publisher pays her an advance before the book appears.

Forms

advance · advances · advanced · advancing

advancement noun — Progress toward a higher or more developed state.

Similar words

progress: Emphasizes improvement rather than movement or early payment.
approach: Emphasizes moving nearer a destination rather than forward generally.