progression
gradual development or advance
A slow, step-by-step change or growth toward a later or better stage.
the progression of [something]
- There has been clear progression in her language skills over the past year.
- The report tracks the progression of the project from initial idea to final product.
- His artwork shows a steady progression from simple sketches to complex paintings.
- We are pleased with the progression of the negotiations so far.
- The novel follows the emotional progression of the main character after the accident.
- The company is happy with the progression of the new product.
- We can see a slow progression in his reading ability.
- The teacher showed a chart of the students’ progression during the year.
- My career progression has been faster than I expected.
- The progression of the course is from easy topics to harder ones.
ordered series or sequence
A set of steps, events, or things that come one after another in order.
a progression of [things or stages]
- The book presents a logical progression of ideas from theory to practice.
- We planned a progression of activities to slowly build the students’ confidence.
- The film shows a chilling progression of small lies turning into serious crimes.
- Her training program follows a careful progression from basic to advanced exercises.
- The symptoms appeared in a typical progression, starting with fever and then a rash.
- The lessons follow a clear progression from easy to difficult.
- There is a natural progression of topics in this course.
- The story has a simple progression: beginning, middle, and end.
- We designed a progression of tasks for the new workers.
- The teacher explained the progression of steps in the experiment.
worsening course of a disease
The way an illness slowly becomes worse or moves to more parts of the body over time.
the progression of [disease/condition]
- The new drug appears to slow the progression of the disease.
- Regular scans are used to monitor the progression of the tumor.
- Early treatment can sometimes stop the progression of kidney damage.
- Doctors are studying the factors that influence the progression of Alzheimer’s.
- Smoking is known to speed up the progression of many lung conditions.
- The doctor is worried about the progression of her cancer.
- This medicine may slow the progression of the illness.
- We watched the progression of the disease over several months.
- They want to stop the progression of heart damage.
- Regular checkups help track the progression of the condition.
sequence of musical chords
In music, a group of chords that are played one after another in a set order.
a chord progression in [key/style]
- The song uses a very simple chord progression that beginners can learn quickly.
- Jazz musicians often improvise over the same basic progression.
- She wrote the melody first and then found a progression that fit it.
- The blues progression in this track follows the classic twelve-bar pattern.
- Changing the chord progression completely changed the mood of the piece.
- I am practicing a new chord progression on the guitar.
- This song has a very common chord progression.
- The teacher showed us a simple progression in the key of C.
- He wrote the lyrics before deciding on the chord progression.
- The band changed the progression to make the song sound happier.
mathematical number sequence
In math, a list of numbers where each number is made by using the same rule, like always adding 3 or always multiplying by 2.
an [arithmetic/geometric] progression of [numbers]
- In an arithmetic progression, each term increases by the same amount.
- They asked us to find the next three numbers in the progression.
- The teacher explained the difference between a geometric progression and an arithmetic one.
- This formula gives the sum of the first n terms of the progression.
- The pattern 2, 4, 8, 16 is a simple geometric progression.
- We learned about arithmetic progression in math class.
- The numbers 3, 6, 9, 12 form a progression.
- Can you continue this progression of numbers?
- A geometric progression grows faster than an arithmetic progression.
- The teacher wrote a long progression of numbers on the board.
- Base: progression
- Plural: progression, progressions
career progression
1advancement in one’s working life
How a person’s job and position at work move forward and improve over time.
- The company offers clear opportunities for career progression.
- She moved from intern to team leader in five years, which is very fast career progression.
- Training and mentoring are important for good career progression.
natural progression
1expected next stage of change
The normal or expected next step in a process of change or growth.
- After ten years as a teacher, moving into school leadership felt like a natural progression.
- For many players, joining the national team is the natural progression after success at club level.
- Living together was the natural progression of their relationship.
chord progression
1sequence of chords in music
A series of chords played one after another in a song or piece of music.
- This pop song uses a very common chord progression.
- Changing the chord progression made the melody sound much sadder.
- Learning basic chord progressions will help you write your own songs.
- Guitar students often start by learning simple chord progressions in the key of G.
- The unusual chord progression gives the piece a dark feeling.