進歩

Noun

 * 1) progress; improvements in social welfare.
 * 2) personal progress, usually in the development of a skill.
 * 1) personal progress, usually in the development of a skill.

Verb

 * 1) To improve (in reference to a society's technological capability or general quality of life).
 * 2) To advance in proficiency; to make progress in the development of a skill.
 * 1) To advance in proficiency; to make progress in the development of a skill.

Usage notes
is quite common as a verb, and it is most easily understood in relation to the English word progress. It is frequently used in reference to social progress, particularly of a technological nature, and to personal progress in a skill. It is not generally used to refer to progress in other sorts of endeavors, such as a trip up a mountain (e.g., "Due to the blizzard, their progress was slow."), or of time in general (e.g., "As the evening progressed, the party became more chaotic.").