progression

Compared meaning: forward movement (noun).

比较义项：前进（名词）。

• advance

  Refers broadly to forward movement or progress, often a single step or overall trend; very common word, used in many fixed phrases like 'in advance'.

  泛指向前的移动或进展，常指单次的推进或整体趋势；是非常常用的词，常出现在诸如 in advance 这样的固定搭配中。

  The advance of technology has changed how we communicate with each other.

  科技的进步改变了我们彼此交流的方式。

• progression 本词

  Emphasizes a gradual, step-by-step movement forward through stages, often over time; more formal and used for processes with a clear sequence.

  强调经过若干阶段、循序渐进地向前发展，通常需要一段时间；用词更正式，常用于有明确顺序的过程。

  The disease follows a slow progression from mild symptoms to more serious ones.

  这种疾病遵循一个缓慢的发展过程，从轻微症状逐渐发展到更严重的症状。

Advance and progression both mean forward movement. Advance often refers to progress in general, or a single step forward; it is a very common word, used in phrases like 'in advance'. Progression stresses a gradual, step-by-step movement through stages over time, and is more formal.

两个词都指“向前的移动”，但 advance 常指抽象或整体上的推进、进展，也可指提前的行动，而 progression 更强调一个循序渐进、按阶段展开的过程。这里不比较 advance 作“预付款”等其他义项。

Compared meaning: gradual improvement toward a goal (noun).

比较义项：进步，进展（名词）。

• progress

  The most general and common word, usually uncountable, for forward movement toward a goal; typically used with verbs like make or show.

  最通用、最常见的词，通常作不可数名词，常与 make、show 等动词搭配使用。

  The doctors were pleased with the progress she made after surgery.

  医生们对她手术后所取得的进步感到满意。

• advancement

  More formal; usually refers to progress in a person's career or status, or in a field or cause, rather than everyday small improvements.

  较为正式，通常指个人事业、地位方面的进步，或某一领域、事业的进步，而非日常生活中的小改善。

  The company was praised for promoting the advancement of women in engineering.

  这家公司因推动女性在工程领域的进步而受到赞扬。

• advance

  Countable, often in the pattern an advance in X; highlights one specific breakthrough or improvement, especially in technology, science or knowledge.

  可数名词，常用 an advance in X 的结构，强调科技、科学或知识领域中某一具体的突破或改进。

  This new advance in battery technology could double a phone's battery life.

  电池技术方面的这一新进展可能使手机的电池续航时间翻倍。

• progression 本词

  Emphasizes a gradual development through a series of stages or steps, often used for careers, skills, diseases or other sequences.

  强调经过一系列阶段或步骤的渐进发展，常用于描述职业、技能、疾病等发展过程。

  The book traces the natural progression from beginner to advanced skier.

  这本书描述了从初学者到高级滑雪者的自然发展过程。

Progress, advancement, advance, and progression can all mean improvement toward a goal. Progress is the most general word, usually uncountable. Advancement is more formal, usually about a career or status. Advance is countable, often 'an advance in X', naming one breakthrough. Progression means step-by-step development.

这四个词都可以表示朝着某个目标不断改善、前进的“进步/进展”，很多语境下可以互换，但在正式程度、是否可数以及常见搭配上有细微差别。这里不比较 advance 表示“预付款”或“提前，事先”（如 in advance）的其他含义，也不比较 advancement 特指“晋升”之外的引申用法。