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

The Thursday interest rate lift is therefore as a largely technical adjustment following the March developments, according to Brad Bechtel, global head of FX at Jefferies. —Natasha Turak, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025

Compelled by the early data, Ricks decided in 2018 to license the development and commercialization of the drug. —Alice Park, Time, 17 Apr. 2025

The city’s investments and partnerships have led to reductions in crime, student improvements in the classroom, and the development of a health clinic set to open this summer, Crain said. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025

This is similar to what the Aurora City Council approved last month for the Abbey Meadows townhouse development by Lennar Homes, which is next to the proposed Harvest Point subdivision. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for development

• envelopment
• redevelopment
• underdevelopment

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