Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - progress

~1 n 1 the process of getting better at doing something, or getting closer to finishing or achieving something + of/on/towards  (Nico had been candid with Stern about the progress of the investigation. | tests designed to monitor the student's progress) 2 make progress a) to get better at doing something or come closer to finishing or achieving something  (Nick has made good progress with his studies this year. | I'm afraid we're not making much progress.) b) to move towards a place  (By nighttime we had still made very little progress.) 3 change towards a better society because of developments in science or fairer methods of social organization  (the great march of progress) 4 in progress formal happening now, and not yet finished  (No Talking. Examination in Progress.) 5 slow or difficult movement towards a place  (We watched with apprehension their progress across the face of the cliff.) 6 old use a journey, especially by a king or queen ~2 v 1 to develop over a period of time and become something better or more complete  (Work on the ship progressed quickly. | I asked the nurse how my son was progressing.)  (Cindy has progressed to reading on her own.) 2 if an activity or situation progresses, it continues to happen or develop gradually  (As the meeting progressed, Nina grew more and more bored.) 3 to move forward slowly  (Our taxi seemed to be progressing with agonizing slowness.) 4 to move on from doing one thing to doing another  (We started with a bottle of wine, and then progressed to whisky.)  (- compare regress)