developed

1 of 2

adjective

de·​vel·​oped di-ˈve-ləpt How to pronounce developed (audio)
dē-
Synonyms of developednext
: having a relatively high level of industrialization and standard of living
a developed country

developed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of develop

Examples of developed in a Sentence

Adjective The disease is almost unheard of in developed countries. The younger plant has a less developed root system.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Later, after Pripyat became more developed, Nataliia and Valerii were assigned to a two-bedroom apartment on Lesi Ukrainky Street, not far from where Nataliia’s sister lived. Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026 The park says wildlife managers actively monitor bear activity and use proactive techniques that help keep bears within their natural home range and away from humans and developed areas. Devarrick Turner, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 McQueen had been projected to go higher in the top 10 given his formidable 6-foot-5 frame, developed skill, noticeable mobility and slight mean streak. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026 In California, the appeal of a new or used EV is twofold — gas prices are especially high, and charging infrastructure is more developed than in many other states. Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for developed

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see develop

First Known Use

Adjective

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of developed was in 1949

Cite this Entry

“Developed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developed. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

developed

adjective
de·​vel·​oped di-ˈvel-əpt How to pronounce developed (audio)
: having a relatively high level of industrialization and standard of living
a developed country

More from Merriam-Webster on developed

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster