noun

progression

pruh-GRESH-uhn/prəˈɡreʃn/

An ordered succession of stages or elements.

The chart shows the progression from seed to mature plant.

A sequence of four seedlings growing gradually taller in identical pots, ordered developmental stages.

Etymology

proLatinforward

+gressLatinto step, walk

+ionLatinaction or process

The pieces describe the process of stepping forward. Applied to conditions rather than physical steps, this gives movement from one stage to the next.

In context

The Right Questions4:48

identifying the different stages of forming storming norming performing and adjourning helps a manager to assess a team's progression

Tuckman's 5 Stages of Team Development (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Re-forming)

More examples

The course follows a gradual progression from simple tasks to complex projects.
In the progression 3, 6, 9, 12, each number increases by three.
Both songs use the same chord progression.

Forms

progression · progressions

progress noun — Movement toward a goal or improvement.

Similar words

sequence: Emphasizes order without necessarily suggesting forward movement or development.
series: Emphasizes related items occurring successively, not necessarily developing in stages.
development: Emphasizes growth or change rather than the ordered stages themselves.