# advancement

/ədˈvænsmənt/ (US) · /ɐdvˈænsmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/advancement
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. career progress

noun · CEFR B2

the act of moving to a higher position or a better job in a company.

For teachers: the act of being promoted to a higher rank, status, or position within a professional hierarchy.

- The company offers many opportunities for career advancement if you work hard.
- The ambitious junior associate viewed the international assignment as a critical step for her long-term advancement within the firm.

### 2. improvement or progress

noun · CEFR B2

an improvement or a step forward in a particular area, like science or technology.

For teachers: the process of making progress or the state of being further developed in a specific field.

- Recent advancements in medicine have helped people live much longer lives.
- The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has prompted ethical debates across various sectors of the global economy.

### 3. early payment

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

money that is paid to someone before the usual or agreed time.

For teachers: a payment made in advance of a scheduled date or the fulfillment of a contract.

- The author requested an advancement on her royalties to cover her travel costs.
- The contractor required an advancement of funds to secure the necessary raw materials before the project could officially commence.

### 4. early inheritance

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

property or money given to a child by a parent before the parent dies.

For teachers: a gift of property or funds made by a parent to a child in anticipation of the child's future share of the estate.

- The large gift was considered an advancement of his eventual inheritance.
- The court had to determine whether the lifetime gift constituted an advancement that should be deducted from the beneficiary's final share of the estate.

Usage: Often used in the context of probate and estate planning.

## Examples

- She is looking for a job with better opportunities for advancement.
- The new training program is designed to help employees achieve rapid career advancement within the company.
- The rapid advancement of medical technology has allowed doctors to treat conditions that were considered incurable only a decade ago.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
