development

noun

de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈve-ləp-mənt How to pronounce development (audio)
dē-
Synonyms of developmentnext
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.
Alongside the promise for more nuclear weapons, Kim also reiterated plans for stronger ICBMs, submarine-launch capabilities, and developments involving drones and artificial intelligence. Will Ripley, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026 The crowd was slow to fill out FedEx Forum on Wednesday evening, an unsurprising development considering the two players whose jersey dotted the stands – Steph Curry and Ja Morant – were both inactive. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026 In the most unsurprising development of the premiere, Rizo cried, and his tears appeared to win Old Man Donaldson over. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026 The development function extends into a steady cadence of programming meant to shape creative ambition. Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2026 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 27 Feb. 2026.

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

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