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 Off the back of that trial and others in Canberra, Queensland developed testing protocols, and gave the green light for chemically-checking drugs in February 2023. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2024 The movie developed a cult following after its release and later spawned a hit musical adaptation on Broadway. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 Image ● Tulum Image Tulum, on the other hand, has quickly developed from a quiet escape from the tourist bustle of Cancún to its own, somewhat higher-dollar major destination. Matthew Pillsbury Nicholas Casey, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 While working on The Amanda Show and All That, Bell developed a close relationship with dialogue coach Brian Peck (no relation to Josh). Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024 One of their grandsons developed a heart condition. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2024 Nicholas Stoller and Rob Letterman developed the show and executive produce with showrunner Hilary Winston, Neal H. Moritz, Scholastic Entertainment’s Iole Lucchese and Caitlin Friedman, Pavun Shetty, Conor Welch and Erin O’Malley. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 Robinson’s still developing his technique, but his first-step explosiveness and speed-to-power variation is a rare commodity. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 In addition to refining his slider, McArthur developed a cutter that became effective. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'develop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

1714, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of develop was in 1714

Dictionary Entries Near develop

Cite this Entry

“Develop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/develop. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on develop

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