develop

verb

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de·vel·op | \ di-ˈve-ləp

, dē- \

developed; developing; develops

Definition of develop

transitive verb

1a : to set forth or make clear by degrees or in detail : expound develop a thesis

b : to make visible or manifest developed the scene in her mind

c dyeing : to treat with an agent to cause the appearance of color

d photography : to subject (exposed material) especially to chemicals in order to produce a visible image develop film also : to make visible by such a method develop pictures

e : to elaborate (a musical idea) by the working out of rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme (see theme sense 4)

2a : to work out the possibilities of develop an idea

b : to create or produce especially by deliberate effort over time develop new ways of doing business develop software

3a : to make active or promote the growth of developed his muscles developing your mental abilities

b(1) : to make available or usable develop natural resources

(2) : to make suitable for commercial or residential purposes develop land

c games : to move (a chess piece) from the original position to one providing more opportunity for effective use develop the rook

4a : to cause to evolve or unfold gradually : to lead or conduct (something) through a succession of states or changes each of which is preparatory for the next developed his argument

b : to expand by a process of growth working to develop the company further

c biology : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind more rain will be needed to develop the plants properly

d : to become infected or affected by developed pneumonia

5 : to acquire gradually develop an appreciation for ballet

intransitive verb

1 biology

a : to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation (see differentiation sense 3), or evolution by successive changes A blossom develops from a bud.

b : to acquire secondary sex characteristics the year that her breasts fully developed

2 : to become gradually manifest the facts that developed over the next few days

3 : to come into being gradually the situation developing in eastern Europe also : turn out sense 2a it developed that no one had paid the bill

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Synonyms for develop

Synonyms

Examples of develop in a Sentence

She has been exercising regularly to develop her back muscles. The story was later developed into a novel. The island has developed its economy around tourism. The course is designed to develop your writing skills. A blossom develops from a bud. The doctor says that the child is developing normally. In this class, we will be learning about how languages develop. Scientists are developing a treatment for the disease. The company has developed a new method for recycling old tires. He develops the concept more fully in his book.

Recent Examples on the Web The research was promising enough for DARPA to fund McCulloch and colleagues to further develop both the theory and practise of propellentless drives in 2018. — David Hambling, Forbes, "Inventor Warned That Latest Test Of ‘Impossible’ Space Drive Was Fatally Flawed," 9 Apr. 2021 From The Little Professor, a reverse calculator designed to help teach arithmetic, to the Speak & Spell, the first educational toy that used a non-recorded, synthesized speech tool, TI’s technology helped develop young minds. — Alyssa Fernandez, Dallas News, "After going all-in with its chips, Texas Instruments tried its hand at toys and calculators," 8 Apr. 2021 Anne Wyllie, an associate research scientist in epidemiology at Yale University who helped develop the COVID-19 saliva testing program SalivaDirect, said this method is effective. — Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, "New York hospital launches COVID-19 saliva testing for those seeking to attend large events, fly internationally," 7 Apr. 2021 Rather than years, companies such as BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca managed to develop their COVID vaccines in a matter of months. — David Meyer, Fortune, "If a COVID-19 vaccine does turn out to be dangerous, who’s on the hook?," 7 Apr. 2021 Woodley helped develop and lead the Community Partnership Prosecutors program, created in 2019. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Veteran prosecutor tapped to take No. 2 spot in DA’s office," 5 Apr. 2021 Another strong area of low pressure will begin to develop in the Rockies and slide out into the Plains through midweek. — Todd Nelson, Star Tribune, "Record Warmth Today; Followed By PM Severe Threat," 5 Apr. 2021 Weyand, a former FBI official and the first coordinator to be hired, has helped to develop the protocols with other coordinators and tribes across the country. — Michael Balsamo, Anchorage Daily News, "Justice Department working with tribes on missing and murdered Indigenous women," 2 Apr. 2021 The area has been the battleground for environmentalists and pro-development advocates who want to develop tar sands mines in the area. — Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Uintah County Commission signals plan to strip clerk/auditor of accounting authority," 2 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'develop.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Develop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/develop. Accessed 21 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for develop

develop

verb

English Language Learners Definition of develop

: to cause (something) to grow or become bigger or more advanced

: to grow or become bigger or more advanced

: to create (something) over a period of time

See the full definition for develop in the English Language Learners Dictionary

develop

verb

de·vel·op | \ di-ˈve-ləp

developed; developing

Kids Definition of develop

1 : to make or become plain little by little : unfold From the microscopic point of Boone's pencil there developed a most amazing scene.— Lynne Reid Banks, The Indian in the Cupboard

2 : to apply chemicals to exposed photographic material (as a film) in order to bring out the picture

3 : to bring out the possibilities of : improve develop an idea

4 : to make more available or usable develop land

5 : to begin to have gradually develop a cough

6 : to begin to exist or be present gradually A romance developed between them.

7 : to create over time develop new medicines

8 : to grow or cause to grow bigger, more mature, or more advanced He's developing his muscles with exercise.

develop

transitive verb

de·vel·op | \ di-ˈvel-əp

Medical Definition of develop

1a : to make active or promote the growth of developed their muscles by weight lifting

b : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind the zygote is gradually developed into the adult plant or animal

2 : to become infected or affected by developed pneumonia

intransitive verb

1 : to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive stages the fever develops normally the embryo develops into a well-formed human being

2 : to acquire secondary sex characteristics she is developing rapidly for a girl of 12

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