Meaning & use
promotions
Last updated
“promotions” is a form of “promotion”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Moves to a higher or more important job or rank within a company or organization.
Grammar: Plural of promotion: she has had two promotions this year.
Patterns
- promotions at work
- get promotions
Several promotions were announced after the successful year.
The firm bases promotions on performance, not on age.
He earned three promotions in five years.
nounpluralbusiness
Special offers, advertising or events meant to encourage people to buy products or know about them.
Grammar: Often used in shops and online: special promotions this week.
Patterns
- sales promotions
- promotions on something
The store runs promotions on cleaning products every month.
Online promotions brought many new customers.
Look out for promotions during the holiday season.
nounpluralformal
Efforts to support, encourage or make something more widely known, such as a cause.
Grammar: Less common than the singular; used for repeated campaigns.
Patterns
- promotions of something
The charity organized promotions of reading in local schools.
Several health promotions took place in the community center.
Word forms
| singular | promotion |
|---|
Common combinations
- sales promotions
- Sales promotions boosted the shop's profits.
- special promotions
- The airline announced special promotions for students.
- offer promotions
- Many restaurants offer promotions on weekdays.
- promotions and pay rises
- The staff survey asked about promotions and pay rises.
- online promotions
- Online promotions often end at midnight.
Synonyms and how they differ
- advancements
- Advancements stresses progress in a career, whereas promotions refers to formal moves to a higher job.
- offers
- Offers is the plain word for shop deals, while promotions suggests a planned marketing effort.
- deals
- Deals is informal and suggests a bargain, but promotions can include any marketing activity.
- campaigns
- Campaigns are organized series of actions with a goal, while a promotion may be a single offer.
Opposites
Word family
- promote verb
- to move up in rank, or to advertise
- promotion noun
- a rise in rank, or an advertising effort
- promotional adjective
- relating to advertising
- promoter noun
- a person who organizes events or supports a cause
Commonly confused: promotions or demotions?
promotions vs demotions
Demotions are moves to a lower rank, the opposite of promotions.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'promotions' to mean job advancement?
Choose one answer.
Hoping for promotions after a strong year means moving up in rank. The others refer to marketing offers.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “promotions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.