promote

verb pro·mote \prə-ˈmōt\

: to change the rank or position of (someone) to a higher or more important one

: to move (a sports team) to a higher position in a league

: to help (something) happen, develop, or increase

pro·mot·edpro·mot·ing

Full Definition of PROMOTE

transitive verb

a : to advance in station, rank, or honor : raise

b : to change (a pawn) into a piece in chess by moving to the eighth rank

c : to advance (a student) from one grade to the next higher grade

a : to contribute to the growth or prosperity of : further <promote international understanding>

b : to help bring (as an enterprise) into being : launch

c : to present (merchandise) for buyer acceptance through advertising, publicity, or discounting

slang : to get possession of by doubtful means or by ingenuity

— pro·mot·abil·i·ty \-ˌmō-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— pro·mot·able \-ˈmō-tə-bəl\ adjective

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Origin of PROMOTE

Middle English, from Latin promotus, past participle of promovēre, literally, to move forward, from pro- forward + movēre to move

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PROMOTE

Synonyms: advance, elevate, raise, upgrade, kick upstairs

Antonyms: abase, degrade, demote, downgrade, lower, reduce

Synonym Discussion of PROMOTE

advance, promote, forward, further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead. advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end <advance the cause of peace>. promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank <a campaign to promote better health>. forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead <a wage increase would forward productivity>. further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance <used the marriage to further his career>.