development

noun

de·​vel·​op·​ment di-ˈve-ləp-mənt How to pronounce development (audio)
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

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 The development highlights the impact the war in Gaza is having on companies doing business in the Middle East. Hanna Ziady, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 Where does the recent development leave Jackie and Shadow? Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 Despite the script’s prevalent lack of subtlety, telling us details and developments instead of showing through meaningful actions, there’s resonance in Michael’s nuanced turn from selfish to selfless via his newfound canine companionship. Courtney Howard, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 Dartmouth Players: Members of the Dartmouth College men’s basketball team voted 13-2 in favor of forming a union, a development that could usher in a new phase of the movement for college athletes to be treated like employees. Lindsay Talbot, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The developments are the latest twist in a years-long scandal surrounding the facility. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Tune radios to local news or use a NOAA weather radio to keep up to date with the latest storm developments. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2024 Marcia Fudge will step down as President Joe Biden's secretary of housing and urban development. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Fleitz wants to bring back human growth and development Germantown School District Policy 2414, which was revised last year, forbids instruction in human growth and development. Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'development.' 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

see develop

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of development was in 1756

Dictionary Entries Near development

Cite this Entry

“Development.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/development. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on development

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