1 a [no obj] : to move forward ▪ The car advanced slowly down the street. ▪ The sun slowly advanced across the sky. ▪ She opened the door and advanced cautiously into the room. ▪ Enemy soldiers are advancing on the city. [=they are approaching the city in order to attack it] b [+ obj] : to move (someone or something) forward ▪ advance the hands of a clock ▪ advance a pawn [=move a pawn forward in a game of chess] ▪ The film is advanced by an electric motor. ▪ The team advanced the ball steadily down the field.
2 [no obj] : to go forward : to make progress ▪ 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. : to continue in a process of development, aging, etc. ▪ As he advanced in age and stature he advanced in knowledge. ▪ Their children are advancing toward maturity.
3 : to increase in amount or rate [+ obj] ▪ These measures are intended to keep landlords from advancing [=raising] rents unfairly. [no obj] ▪ Wages have continued to advance. ▪ Some stock prices have advanced while others have declined. ▪ Loss of memory is often a sign of advancing age.
4 [+ obj] a : to help the progress of (something) ▪ heroes whose sacrifices advanced the cause of freedom ▪ Volunteers have been raising money to advance the work of the society. ▪ They used propaganda to advance their cause. ▪ He was advancing his own interests at the expense of his friend's. : to cause or help (something) to go forward or continue ▪ advance a plot b : to make (something) higher or better : to cause improvement to (something) ▪ The success of this novel will help to advance [=enhance] his reputation/status.
5 a [+ obj] : to raise (someone) to a higher rank or position ▪ He was advanced [=promoted] from clerk to assistant manager. b [no obj] : to rise to a higher rank or position ▪ The family has advanced to a position of influence in the community. ▪ He advanced quickly through the ranks. ▪ She has continued to advance steadily in her career.
6 [+ obj] : to give money to someone as a loan or before the usual time ▪ advance a loan to someone = advance someone a loan ▪ advance an employee a week's pay ▪ His publisher advanced him $100,000 on/for his new book.
7 [+ obj] : to suggest or propose (something) for consideration or acceptance ▪ advance a new plan/theory ▪ advance an argument ▪ Many theories were advanced and rejected.
8 [+ obj] a : to cause (something) to occur more quickly ▪ a chemical used to advance the ripening of fruit b : to make (something) earlier ▪ advance the date of the meeting