n. /prog"res, -reuhs/ or, esp. Brit., /proh"gres/ ; v. /preuh gres"/ , n.
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., esp. 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. Biol. 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.
10. in progress , going on; under way; being done; happening: The meeting was already in progress.
v.i. progress
11. 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.
12. to grow or develop, as in complexity, scope, or severity; advance: Are you progressing in your piano studies? The disease progressed slowly.
[ 1400-50; late ME progresse (n.) progressus a going forward, equiv. to progred-, s. of progredi to advance ( pro- PRO- 1 + -gredi, comb. form of gradi to step; see GRADE) + -tus suffix of v. action ]
Syn. 1. advance, progression. 4. increase; betterment. 12. proceed; develop, improve, grow, increase.
Ant. 1. regression. 12. regress.