furtherance

IPA/ˈfɜːðərəns/
KK[fˈɚθɚəns]IPA/ˈfɜːrðərəns/

furtherance — noun

1. formal help that moves a plan, cause, or piece of work forward and makes it more

1.nounC2
Definition

formal help that moves a plan, cause, or piece of work forward and makes it more likely to succeed.

Example

The grant was created in furtherance of local science education.

pattern: in furtherance of + goal

Padma donated her land for the furtherance of the village clinic.

pattern: for the furtherance of + institution

Common collocations
  • in furtherance of a goal
  • for the furtherance of research
  • in furtherance of public safety
Synonyms
  • advancement

    broader and less formal; can describe progress itself as well as help toward it

  • promotion

    often suggests active effort to increase support, attention, or acceptance

  • support

    simpler and much wider; can mean practical, financial, or emotional help

Antonyms
  • hindrance

    emphasizes something that slows or blocks progress

  • obstruction

    stronger and more deliberate; often used for active blocking

Grammar Patterns

in furtherance of + noun

for the furtherance of + noun

Usage Note

Mostly used in formal writing, especially in the pattern 'in furtherance of + noun'. The noun after 'of' is usually a goal, policy, cause, or institution rather than a physical object.

Common Mistakes

The meeting was in furtherance the plan.
The meeting was in furtherance of the plan.
The fixed phrase needs 'of' after 'furtherance'.
They gave a furtherance to the project.
They gave support to the project.
'Furtherance' is rarely used as a normal countable noun after 'a'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Furtherance, advancement, promotion, and support all describe help, but they are not used in the same way. Furtherance is the most formal of the four and usually appears in legal, official, or policy writing, especially in the pattern in furtherance of. It focuses on helping a plan, cause, or piece of work move ahead. Advancement is broader and can refer either to progress itself or to the act of causing it. Promotion often suggests active effort to win attention, sales, or acceptance. Support is the simplest and widest word, covering emotional, practical, and financial help. A council may fund a programme in furtherance of road safety, while an ordinary conversation would more naturally talk about support for the programme.

furtherance ↗advancement ↗promotion ↗support ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • in furtherance of
  • for the furtherance of
  • act in furtherance of

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Furtherance comes from the verb further, meaning to help something move ahead. That verb grew out of an older English word for going more forward or farther, and the noun ending -ance was later added to name the act or process. The history matches the modern meaning closely: furtherance is help that pushes something onward.