Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Promote \Pro*mote"\, v. i.
   To urge on or incite another, as to strife; also, to inform
   against a person. [Obs.]

Promote \Pro*mote"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Promoted}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Promoting}.] [L. promotus, p. p. of promovere to move
   forward, to promote; pro forward + movere to move. See
   {Move}.]
   1. To contribute to the growth, enlargement, or prosperity of
      (any process or thing that is in course); to forward; to
      further; to encourage; to advance; to excite; as, to
      promote learning; to promote disorder; to promote a
      business venture. ``Born to promote all truth.'' --Milton.

   2. To exalt in station, rank, or honor; to elevate; to raise;
      to prefer; to advance; as, to promote an officer.

            I will promote thee unto very great honor. --Num.
                                                  xxii. 17.

            Exalt her, and she shall promote thee. --Prov. iv.
                                                  18.

   Syn: To forward; advance; further; patronize; help; exalt;
        prefer; elevate; dignify.

Source : WordNet®

promote
     v 1: contribute to the progress or growth of; "I am promoting the
          use of computers in the classroom" [syn: {advance}, {boost},
           {further}, {encourage}]
     2: give a promotion to or assign to a higher position; "John
        was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired"; "Women
        tend not to advance in the major law firms"; "I got
        promoted after many years of hard work" [syn: {upgrade}, {advance},
         {kick upstairs}, {raise}, {elevate}] [ant: {demote}]
     3: make publicity for; try to sell (a product); "The salesman
        is aggressively pushing the new computer model"; "The
        company is heavily advertizing their new laptops" [syn: {advertise},
         {advertize}, {push}]
     4: be changed for a superior chess or checker piece
     5: change a pawn for a king by advancing it to the eighth row,
        or change a checker piece for a more valuable piece by
        moving it the row closest to your opponent