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

Both Son Ermità and its sister development, Binidufà, stand among holm oaks, strawberry trees, olive trees, the occasional pine tree in a setting that is wonderfully peaceful. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026

Chicago's plan commission will vote on a request to rezone Ford City Mall for industrial development. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

And for projects that reach a certain level of complexity, many developers choose JLL’s project and development services team that’s based in Atlanta to deliver their plans. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

The ingenious development of daraxonrasib was big news, since pancreatic cancer has been a death sentence until now. — CNN Money, 19 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