development

noun

de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈve-ləp-mənt 

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

Synonyms of development

• evolution
• progress
• expansion
• progression
• growth

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

Meanwhile, two waves that moved off Africa this week and are headed across the Atlantic toward the Caribbean both have the potential for further tropical development. — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Wegmans will break ground today on the company's first store in the Pittsburgh region at the Cool Springs development in Cranberry Township. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

There’s been extensive development here over the past 25 years, funded partly by the building of blocks of flats, whose residents can watch home matches for free from the corners of a venue now into its 13th decade. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

The layoffs affected departments across the museum, including programs, development, and exhibitions, and leave the total staff count at 118. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see develop

First Known Use

1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing development

• housing development
• hyper-development
• in development
• pre-development
• research and development
• ribbon development
• self-development
• sub-development

Rhymes for development

• envelopment
• redevelopment
• underdevelopment

Kids Definition

development

noun

de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈvel-əp-mənt 

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 

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

-ˌvel-əp-ˈment-ᵊl 

adjective

developmentally

-ē 

adverb