develop

verb

de·​vel·​op di-ˈve-ləp How to pronounce develop (audio)
dē-
developed; developing; develops

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 sense 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 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
developable adjective

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
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.
At just 25 years old, the 7-foot Hayes fits the type of player Slovenia is looking for – in addition to the chemistry Hayes and Doncic have developed since the Lakers acquired the 26-year-old star in February. Khobi Price, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025 Unlike other cities that create a 10-year plan, Pittsburg aims to develop a 40-year urban forestry master plan to be better prepared for climate change, sustainability, and budget limitations, said Farmer. Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025 Monopodial orchids have one stem and root system, so all of their leaves and flowers develop on the single stem. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025 The rubber band helps players perform an elastic muscle contraction while jumping at the same time, producing a plyometric contraction, which helps develop the kind of muscle power that leads to the explosiveness footballers need. Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for develop

Word History

Etymology

French développer, from Old French desveloper, desvoluper to unwrap, expose, from des- de- + envoloper to enclose — more at envelop

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4a

Time Traveler
The first known use of develop was in 1741

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Develop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/develop. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

develop

verb
de·​vel·​op di-ˈvel-əp How to pronounce develop (audio)
1
a
: to make or become clear gradually or in detail
as the story developed
b
: to apply chemicals to exposed photographic material (as a film) in order to bring out the picture
also : to make visible by such a method
develop pictures
c
: to make (a musical theme) more complicated by varying the rhythm and harmony
2
: to bring to a more advanced or more nearly perfect state
develop an idea
3
: to create or produce especially by effort
develop new ways of doing business
4
: to make more available or usable
develop land
5
: to acquire gradually
developed a taste for olives
6
: to go through a process of natural growth or evolution in a series of stages
a blossom develops from a bud
developable adjective

Medical Definition

develop

transitive verb
de·​vel·​op di-ˈvel-əp How to pronounce develop (audio)
1
a
: 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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