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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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 Hauser not playing last year allowed other forwards to develop. — Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State basketball: Five make-or-break keys to a successful season," 24 Nov. 2020 In total, 43 Illinois museums will be receiving a total of $22.8 million in Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants to fund various capital improvements to improve their facilities and develop new exhibits. . — Steve Schering, chicagotribune.com, "Oak Park’s Pleasant Home receives $421k state grant to help fund geothermal project," 23 Nov. 2020 But the mechanism underlying both vaccines — a new messenger RNA technology that helps the body develop antibodies to fight the coronavirus — has not been shown to cause harm during pregnancy, Lyerly said. — Shefali Luthra, USA TODAY, "Pregnant women haven’t been included in promising COVID vaccine trials," 23 Nov. 2020 One of the unspoken questions of this preseason, in a year when COVID-19 protocols meant teams prepared entirely behind closed doors, was whether Penix and Fryfogle could develop QB-to-No. 1 WR chemistry. — Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, "Indiana football wants to be taken seriously in the Big Ten. Games like this will help.," 22 Nov. 2020 Growing evidence says yes: A new study appears to show that people infected with the coronavirus develop lasting immunity against COVID-19, a major boost to vaccine developers shadowed by suspicions that resistance to the disease might quickly fade. — Chronicle Staff, SFChronicle.com, "Coronavirus news from the Bay Area: Nov. 13-19," 22 Nov. 2020 For the next several years, consider removing all fruits that set, thereby helping the tree develop its root system. — oregonlive, "Why are fruits on young persimmon tree so small? Ask an expert," 21 Nov. 2020 Smith, playing deep and watching the play develop, caught the carom for an interception. — Jim Souhan, Star Tribune, "Credit for three game win streak goes to three man wrecking crew on Vikings' defense," 21 Nov. 2020 O’Brien, in Vietnam for a three-day visit which includes meetings with government officials and a speech to international relations students, said the companies will develop a plant that will provide 3,600 megawatts of power. — Jennifer Jacobs, Bloomberg.com, "GE Signs Agreement to Develop Vietnam LNG Power Plant," 21 Nov. 2020

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

26 Nov 2020

Cite this Entry

“Develop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/develop. Accessed 27 Nov. 2020.

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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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