Main Entry: de·vel·op·ment

Pronunciation: \di-ˈvel-əp-mənt\

Function: noun

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>

—de·vel·op·men·tal \-ˌvel-əp-ˈment-^əl\ adjective

—de·vel·op·men·tal·ly \-ē\ adverb