The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Advancement \Ad*vance"ment\ ([a^]d*v[.a]ns"ment), n. [OE.
   avancement, F. avancement. See Advance, v. t.]
   1. The act of advancing, or the state of being advanced;
      progression; improvement; furtherance; promotion to a
      higher place or dignity; as, the advancement of learning.
      [1913 Webster]

            In heaven . . . every one (so well they love each
            other) rejoiceth and hath his part in each other's
            advancement.                          --Sir T. More.
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            True religion . . . proposes for its end the joint
            advancement of the virtue and happiness of the
            people.                               --Horsley.
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   2. An advance of money or value; payment in advance. See
      Advance, 5.
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   3. (Law) Property given, usually by a parent to a child, in
      advance of a future distribution.
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   4. Settlement on a wife, or jointure. [Obs.] --Bacon.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

advancement
    n 1: encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of
         something [syn: promotion, furtherance, advancement]
    2: the act of moving forward (as toward a goal) [syn:
       progress, progression, procession, advance,
       advancement, forward motion, onward motion] [ant:
       retreat]
    3: gradual improvement or growth or development; "advancement of
       knowledge"; "great progress in the arts" [syn: advancement,
       progress]