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 depot houses rare posters, architectural models, and artifacts from every stage of the network’s development. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

However, regardless of development, locally heavy rains are possible over portions of Belize, Guatemala, and southeastern Mexico during the next few days. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 28 June 2025

At 27, sort of at the last-chance-saloon stage of development. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025

Heavy rain is still forecast over portions of Belize, Guatemala, an southeastern Mexico during the next few days regardless of development, the NHC stted. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 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