advance

I UK [ədˈvɑːns] / US [ədˈvæns] noun
Word forms "advance":
singular advance plural advances
**

1) [countable/uncountable] progress or an instance of progress in science, technology, human knowledge etc

In spite of all its advances, medical science still knows little about the brain.

advance in:

major advances in computer technology

the advance of something:

ethical questions raised by the advance of genetic engineering

2)

a) [countable] a payment for work that is given before the work is complete

The author has signed a publishing deal for an advance of £500,000.

b) an amount of money that is paid to someone before the usual time

I asked for an advance on next month's salary.

3) [countable] a forward movement towards someone or something, especially by an army

The rebels continued their advance on the capital city.

4) advances

[plural] an attempt to have a sexual relationship with someone, especially when they do not want it make advances:

Evans denied making sexual advances to her.

•

- in advance

II UK [ədˈvɑːns] / US [ədˈvæns] verb
Word forms "advance":
present tense I/you/we/they advance he/she/it advances present participle advancing past tense advanced past participle advanced
**

1)

a) [intransitive/transitive] to move forward and towards someone or something

Before he could advance another step, the men ran away.

advance on:

Troops are advancing on the village.

b) [transitive] to make something such as a film or videotape move forward

The technician advanced the film by a few frames.

2)

a) [intransitive] to progress and become better or more developed

Information technology has advanced dramatically since the 1960s.

His cancer had now advanced so far that it could not be treated.

b) [transitive] to help something progress and become more developed or successful

They use the Internet as a tool to advance their research.

He will do anything to advance his career.

We are working to advance the cause of world peace.

3) [transitive] formal to suggest something for people to consider

She advanced the theory that children learn more from their friends than from their parents.

4) [transitive] to give or lend someone money before the usual time or before they do something

I asked the school to advance the funds for my trip.

advance someone something:

The bank is refusing to advance him any money.

5) [intransitive] business to increase in value

Stock market trading advanced slightly today.

6) [transitive] British formal to change a date or time so that something happens earlier

III UK [ədˈvɑːns] / US [ədˈvæns] adjective [only before noun]

1) done, obtained, or announced before a particular time or event

We require 30 days' advance notice if you wish to cancel your membership.

There was no advance warning before the earthquake hit.

advance reservations/tickets

2) sent to a place before a larger group that will arrive later

an advance party/team/unit