procession

noun

1. (theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; “the emanation of the Holy Spirit”; “the rising of the Holy Ghost”; “the doctrine of the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son”

   Synonyms

   • emanation, rise

   Less specific

   • origin, origination, inception

2. the group action of a collection of people or animals or vehicles moving ahead in more or less regular formation; “processions were forbidden”

   Less specific

   • group action, collection, aggregation, accumulation, assemblage

   More specific

   • convoy, caravan, train, wagon train, cavalcade, march, motorcade, parade, cortege, recession, recessional

3. the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)

   Synonyms

   • progress, progression, advance, advancement, forward motion, onward motion

   Antonym

   • retreat

   Less specific

   • motion, movement, move

   More specific

   • push, career, life history, march, plain sailing, clear sailing, easy going, leapfrog