development

noun

de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈve-ləp-mənt How to pronounce development (audio)
dē-
1
: the act, process, or result of developing
the development of new ideas
an interesting development in the case
2
: the state of being developed
a project in development
3
: a tract of land that has been made available or usable : a developed tract of land
especially : one with houses built on it

Examples of development in a Sentence

Good nutrition is important for proper muscle development. The company offers many opportunities for professional development. The software is still in the early stages of development. I try to keep up with the latest developments in computer technology. Have there been any new developments in the case?
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.
Add in the flourishes provided by Poku and Kofane, in particular — the former’s opening goal last weekend was a masterpiece — and the picture is of a brittle but talented group, clearly in a development stage, but with obvious potential in key areas. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025 The most common diagnoses included disorders in speech and motor function development and autism. Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025 As of February 2025, the government recognized 157,000 startups across India, with than 51% found in mid-sized urban centers known as Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities by population size and development levels. Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025 Neom is a $500‑billion‑plus ultra‑modern development, anchoring projects like The Line, a centerpiece linear city, the Trojena desert ski resort, the Oxagon port and floating industrial complex and a massive green‑hydrogen complex. MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for development

Word History

Etymology

see develop

First Known Use

1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of development was in 1724

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Development.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/development. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

development

noun
de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈvel-əp-mənt How to pronounce development (audio)
1
: the act, process, or result of developing
2
: the state of being developed
3
: a developed piece of land
especially : one that has houses built on it

Medical Definition

development

noun
de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈvel-əp-mənt How to pronounce development (audio)
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
developmental adjective
developmentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on development

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