̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷smənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Latin ad- ) of Middle English avauncement, from Old French avancement, from avancier to advance + -ment — more at advance
1. : the action of advancing or the state of being advanced:
a. : promotion or elevation to a higher rank or to a position of greater personal dignity or importance
they came, not for personal advancement … but literally to establish a New France — B.K.Sandwell
positions offering excellent opportunities for professional advancement
his advancement to captain came the following year
b. : furtherance or progression especially toward perfection or to a higher stage of development : a helping or moving forward : improvement
programs for the advancement and diffusion of knowledge
leadership in the advancement of political and economic democracy — Vera M. Dean
contributed greatly to the advancement of the new organization
2. : property given usually by a parent to a child in advance of a future distribution : an irrevocable gift by an intestate during his life of part or all of the donee's anticipated share in the donor's estate upon distribution, differing from an absolute gift in that it is charged against the donee's future share in the estate and from an advance in that the donee cannot be called upon to account for or repay it except by this charging of it
3. : an advance of money or value