development

noun

de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈve-ləp-mənt 

dē-

1

: the act, process, or result of developing

the development of new ideas

an interesting development in the case

2

: the state of being developed

a project in development

3

: a tract of land that has been made available or usable : a developed tract of land

especially : one with houses built on it

Synonyms

• elaboration
• evolution
• expansion
• growth
• progress
• progression

Examples of development in a Sentence

Good nutrition is important for proper muscle development.

The company offers many opportunities for professional development.

The software is still in the early stages of development.

I try to keep up with the latest developments in computer technology.

Have there been any new developments in the case?

Recent Examples on the Web

These efforts combine the flexibility and efficiency of the private sector with the resourcing and programming of the public sector to address specific concerns (e.g. rural development, disaster response and economic development). —Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024

Read more on Design thinking or related topics Product development, Innovation and Consumer behavior A version of this article appeared in the November–December 2024 issue of Harvard Business Review. —Harvard Business Review, 30 Nov. 2024

Shop the 115 best Black Friday beauty deals (including new 2024 Best of Beauty winners) and bookmark this page to stay up to date on all the discount developments. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 30 Nov. 2024

The goal now has to be the continued development of Williams and other young talent on the roster. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see develop

First Known Use

1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing development

• housing development
• hyper-development
• in development
• pre-development
• research and development
• ribbon development
• self-development
• sub-development

Kids Definition

development

noun

de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈvel-əp-mənt 

1

: the act, process, or result of developing

2

: the state of being developed

3

: a developed piece of land

especially : one that has houses built on it

Medical Definition

development

noun

de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈvel-əp-mənt 

1

: the action or process of developing: as

a

: the process of growth and differentiation by which the potentialities of a zygote, spore, or embryo are realized

b

: the gradual advance through evolutionary stages : evolution

2

: the state of being developed

the great muscular development of weight lifters

developmental

-ˌvel-əp-ˈment-ᵊl 

adjective

developmentally

-ē 

adverb