ad·vance
əd-ˈvan(t)s 
advanced; advancing
1
: to accelerate the growth or progress of
advance a cause
2
: to bring or move forward
advance a pawn
3
: to raise to a higher rank
was advanced from clerk to assistant manager
4
archaic
: to lift up : raise
5
: to bring forward in time
especially
: to make earlier
advance the date of the meeting
6
: to bring forward for notice, consideration, or acceptance : propose
advance an idea
7
: to supply or furnish in expectation of repayment
advance a loan
8
: to raise in rate : increase
advance the rent
1
: to move forward : proceed
an advancing army
2
: to make progress : increase
advance in age
3
: to rise in rank, position, or importance
advance through the ranks
4
: to rise in rate or price
advancing wages
advancer
noun
1
: a moving forward
halted the enemy's advances
2
a
: progress in development
… mistaking material advance for spiritual enrichment.—
H. J. Laski
H. J. Laski
b
: a progressive step : improvement
an advance in medical technique
3
: a rise in price, value, or amount
The workers won wage advances.
4
: a first step or approach made (as to gain favor or form an acquaintance)
especially
: the act of speaking to someone in an effort to start a sexual relationship
—usually plural
She rejected his advances.
The report alleges that the supervisor repeatedly made unwanted/improper sexual advances towards subordinates.
5
: a provision of something (such as money or goods) before a return is received
I need an advance on my salary.
also
: the money or goods supplied
received a $100,000 advance on his new book
1
: made, sent, or furnished ahead of time
advance sales
2
: going or situated before
an advance party of soldiers
Synonyms
Examples of advance in a Sentence
Verb
The car advanced slowly down the street.
The sun slowly advanced across the sky.
She opened the door and advanced cautiously into the room.
advance the hands of a clock
The film is advanced by an electric motor.
The team advanced the ball steadily down the field.
Our understanding of this disease has advanced rapidly in recent years.
The team did not advance beyond the first round of the play-offs.
The company tries to keep up with advancing technology.
As he advanced in age and stature he advanced in knowledge.
Noun
trying to halt the enemy's advance
trying to halt the enemy's advances
a big advance in technology
The new system represents a considerable advance over the old one.
There have been few advances made in the treatment of this disease.
There has been little advance made in the treatment of this disease.
The workers won wage advances.
a yearlong advance in stock prices
Adjective
an advance copy of a new book
Recent Examples on the WebEmily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
See which Fort Worth-area high school soccer teams are advancing to the regional finals.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
The winner of the game will advance to the championship game, which will be played on Sunday.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
The top two teams from the final will advance to the eight-team field for the NCAA Championships on April 18-20 in Fort Worth.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 5 Apr. 2024
Per a new report Higher Heights, an organization dedicated to advancing Black women’s political power, Black women voters are focused on addressing housing, inflation and the cost of living this election cycle.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
At a glance: Watch Women’s Final Four Date April 5
Network ESPN
Stream online DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling
WATCH Women’s March Madness with Directv Stream
The winners of the Final Four will advance to the NCAA women’s National Championship game on Sunday, April 7.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
On Monday night in the Elite Eight, Clark and Iowa avenged last year’s loss, beating Reese and LSU 94-87 to advance to the Final Four for the second consecutive season.
—Jill Martin, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
The combined company will focus on advancing TuHURA's personalized cancer vaccine(s) and first-in-class bi-functional ADCS, two technologies that seek to overcome the major obstacles that limit the effectiveness of current immunotherapies in treating cancer.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
This recipe can be prepared in advance and will remain fresh for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
—Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Benson told those attending the Detroit table top exercise that one of the goals of the program was to take away some of the fear associated with the scenarios discussed by developing a plan in advance.
—Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
The extent of the cloud cover all hinges on how quickly a warm front advances eastward.
—Elisa Raffa, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
Oil’s advance threatens to push retail gasoline, now near a daily national average of $3.60 a gallon, toward $4, a key psychological level.
—Lucia Kassai, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024
The strike on World Central Kitchen was especially jarring because the aid workers had coordinated their route with the Israeli military in advance.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The success of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, and the broader advance of the populist right in Europe, have shaken postwar and post-Wall norms of historical responsibility.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Technological advances have now led to LED bulbs in every color, size, style, and—most importantly— temperature.
—TIME, 27 Mar. 2024
Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024
Capacity will be limited with advance registration and timed ticketing.
—Sarah Murphy, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024
At the dinner, the two men, along with others gathered, discussed starting an AI lab that would be transparent, open-source, and dedicated to democratizing the benefits of advance artificial intelligence.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2023
While many of the stops are within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and leaf peeping, those looking to go a little farther can bring a bicycle on board for an additional fee ($3 to $8 per ride), with advance registration.
—Patricia Harris and David Lyon, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
The plaintiffs in Wednesday's suit allege that, unlike the 2019 Florida show, there was no advance notice of the late start, leaving concertgoers hung up waiting for the December show to start.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2024
The event will take place from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public with advance registration at jimirsaycollection.com.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2023
An article on Friday about Israel’s accusations that several freelance photographers for major news organizations had advance knowledge of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, based on information from an editor at The Times, misstated when Yousef Masoud woke to the sound of rocket fire.
—New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Admission is free but advance registration is requested.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Verb
The top two vote-getters in each race, except the presidential primary, will advance to the fall runoff regardless of political party.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
See which Fort Worth-area high school soccer teams are advancing to the regional finals.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
The winner of the game will advance to the championship game, which will be played on Sunday.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
The top two teams from the final will advance to the eight-team field for the NCAA Championships on April 18-20 in Fort Worth.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 5 Apr. 2024
Per a new report Higher Heights, an organization dedicated to advancing Black women’s political power, Black women voters are focused on addressing housing, inflation and the cost of living this election cycle.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
At a glance: Watch Women’s Final Four Date April 5
Network ESPN
Stream online DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling
WATCH Women’s March Madness with Directv Stream
The winners of the Final Four will advance to the NCAA women’s National Championship game on Sunday, April 7.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
On Monday night in the Elite Eight, Clark and Iowa avenged last year’s loss, beating Reese and LSU 94-87 to advance to the Final Four for the second consecutive season.
—Jill Martin, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
The combined company will focus on advancing TuHURA's personalized cancer vaccine(s) and first-in-class bi-functional ADCS, two technologies that seek to overcome the major obstacles that limit the effectiveness of current immunotherapies in treating cancer.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
For the best selection, consider ordering in advance.
—Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
This recipe can be prepared in advance and will remain fresh for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
—Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Benson told those attending the Detroit table top exercise that one of the goals of the program was to take away some of the fear associated with the scenarios discussed by developing a plan in advance.
—Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
The extent of the cloud cover all hinges on how quickly a warm front advances eastward.
—Elisa Raffa, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
Oil’s advance threatens to push retail gasoline, now near a daily national average of $3.60 a gallon, toward $4, a key psychological level.
—Lucia Kassai, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024
The strike on World Central Kitchen was especially jarring because the aid workers had coordinated their route with the Israeli military in advance.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The success of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, and the broader advance of the populist right in Europe, have shaken postwar and post-Wall norms of historical responsibility.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Technological advances have now led to LED bulbs in every color, size, style, and—most importantly— temperature.
—TIME, 27 Mar. 2024
Adjective
There’s been little advance word about what the new album sounds like.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024
Capacity will be limited with advance registration and timed ticketing.
—Sarah Murphy, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024
At the dinner, the two men, along with others gathered, discussed starting an AI lab that would be transparent, open-source, and dedicated to democratizing the benefits of advance artificial intelligence.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2023
While many of the stops are within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and leaf peeping, those looking to go a little farther can bring a bicycle on board for an additional fee ($3 to $8 per ride), with advance registration.
—Patricia Harris and David Lyon, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
The plaintiffs in Wednesday's suit allege that, unlike the 2019 Florida show, there was no advance notice of the late start, leaving concertgoers hung up waiting for the December show to start.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2024
The event will take place from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public with advance registration at jimirsaycollection.com.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2023
An article on Friday about Israel’s accusations that several freelance photographers for major news organizations had advance knowledge of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, based on information from an editor at The Times, misstated when Yousef Masoud woke to the sound of rocket fire.
—New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Admission is free but advance registration is requested.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'advance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English advauncen, alteration (with initial a- taken as assimilated form of Latin ad- ad-) of avauncen, borrowed from Anglo-French avancer, going back to Vulgar Latin *abantiāre, verbal derivative of Latin abante "before, in front," from ab- ab- + ante "before" — more at ante-
Noun
derivative of advance entry 1 (or borrowed from French avance, going back to Middle French, noun derivative of avancer)
Adjective
derivative of advance entry 2
First Known Use
Verb
1538, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Adjective
1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of advance was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing advance
Dictionary Entries Near advance
Cite this Entry
“Advance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advance. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
advance
1 of 3 verb
ad·vance
əd-ˈvan(t)s
advanced; advancing
1
: to move forward
advance a few yards
2
: to help the progress of
sacrifices that advance the cause of freedom
3
: to raise to a higher rank or position : promote
was advanced from clerk to assistant manager
4
: to give and expect to be paid back
advance a loan
5
: suggest sense 1, propose
advance a new plan
advancer
noun
advance
2 of 3 noun1
: a forward movement
2
: progress in development : improvement
recent advances in medicine
3
: a rise in price, value, or amount
4
: a first step or approach
an unfriendly look discourages advances
5
a
: the giving of something in payment (as money) before goods or services are received
I need an advance on my salary
b
: the money or goods given
advance
3 of 3 adjective1
: made, sent, or furnished ahead of time
an advance payment
2
: going or situated before
an advance guard
an advance scout
Legal Definition
advance
1 of 2 transitive verb
ad·vance
advanced; advancing
: to supply or provide ahead of time: as
a
: to give (a gift) by way of or as an advancement
b
: to supply (as money) beforehand in expectation of repayment or other future adjustment
advance
2 of 2 noun
: a provision of something (as goods or money) before a return is received
also
: the money or goods supplied
More from Merriam-Webster on advance
Nglish: Translation of advance for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of advance for Arabic Speakers
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