develop

verb de·vel·op \ di-ˈvel-əp , dē- \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: develop in a Sentence

Definition of develop

transitive verb

1 a : 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 4)

2 a : 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

3 a : 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

4 a : 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 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 2a

it developed that no one had paid the bill

—

developable

play \-ˈve-lə-pə-bəl\ adjective

See develop defined for English-language learners

See develop defined for kids

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 of develop from the Web

Investors are concerned that an intensifying trade fight will slow global growth and weigh on commodity prices, hurting the economies of developing countries.

— ira iosebashvili, WSJ, "Dollar Slides Against Emerging-Market Currencies," 12 July 2018
In the process of developing the first issue, Narula began by looking to members of the theater community who might be willing to contribute a piece of writing.

— katie powers, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Media / Theater Profiles abuse scandal inspires new magazine examining Chicago theater," 12 July 2018
Bosch keeps swinging back to Petitet and others via talking heads of a range of interviewee participants who offer a kind of running commentary on the developing story.

— jonathan holland, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Petitet': Film Review," 11 July 2018
Science has shown that the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, if inherited, can significantly increase a woman’s risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime.

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Free panel to explore living with inherited cancer risk," 10 July 2018
As the Fed raises interest rates in the United States, investors have been pulling money out of developing nations like Argentina, Mexico and Turkey while betting on the dollar.

— New York Times, "Turkey’s Economy Is So Hot That It May Face a Meltdown," 10 July 2018
Thomas Novelly, Louisville Courier Journal This is a developing story; please check back for updates.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville police respond to a fatal shooting in Fern Creek," 9 July 2018
Today, metallurgists are in the early stages of developing eco-friendly steel production methods.

— jonathan schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Entire History of Steel," 9 July 2018
In addition, wealthier nations pledged to raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to finance the adaptation plans of developing nations.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Thai cave rescue: a metaphor on climate adaptation," 9 July 2018

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.