development
Americannoun
-
the act or process of developing; growth; progress.
child development; economic development.
- Synonyms:
- maturation, opening, evolution, growth, elaboration, expansion
- Antonyms:
- disintegration, deterioration
-
a significant consequence or event.
recent developments in the field of science.
-
a developed or advanced state or form.
Drama reached its highest development in the plays of Shakespeare.
-
Music. the part of a movement or composition in which a theme or themes are developed, or unfolded and elaborated, by various technical means, so as to reveal their inherent possibilities.
-
a large group of private houses or of apartment houses, often of similar design, constructed as a unified community, especially by a real-estate developer or government organization.
- Synonyms:
- subdivision, community
-
Chess. the act or process of developing chess pieces.
-
Mining. the work of digging openings, as tunnels, raises, and winzes, to give access to new workings, and of erecting necessary structures.
noun
-
the act or process of growing, progressing, or developing
-
the product or result of developing
-
a fact, event, or happening, esp one that changes a situation
-
an area or tract of land that has been developed
-
Also called: development section. the section of a movement, usually in sonata form, in which the basic musical themes are developed
-
chess
-
the process of developing pieces
-
the manner in which they are developed
-
the position of the pieces in the early part of a game with reference to their attacking potential or defensive efficiency
-
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
hyperdevelopmentnoun
-
nondevelopmentnoun
-
predevelopmentnoun
-
self-developmentnoun
-
subdevelopmentnoun
-
superdevelopmentnoun
-
undevelopmentnoun
-
antidevelopmentadjective
-
developmentaladjective
-
developmentaryadjective
-
hyperdevelopmentaladjective
-
nondevelopmentaladjective
-
postdevelopmentaladjective
-
undevelopmentaladjective
-
developmentallyadverb
-
nondevelopmentallyadverb
-
undevelopmentallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of development
First recorded in 1745–55; develop + -ment, or from French développement
Explanation
Development is the act of improving by expanding, enlarging, or refining. The merging of two university departments might lead to the development of a new curriculum. There are many other definitions for this noun, too. Real estate development is the conversion of land or property to a specific use, like housing or retail space. To grow up, we pass through many stages of development, from infancy to old age. Breaking news is often followed by developments, that is, recent events or information that's relevant to the story.
Vocabulary lists containing development
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 6
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Language of Standardized Tests, List 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Some regions have significantly increased residential development in wildlands, creating a dangerous combination of flammable plants, vulnerable homes and residents capable of sparking fires — on purpose or by accident.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
It drives physical development, builds muscle, and controls sex drive, primarily in males, but it also supports health in females.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
Already, the key plank of his campaign had been to increase payments to member associations all over the world for development projects.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
UN chief Antonio Guterres, alluding to the Middle East war and its regional spillover, said the agreement was a rare positive development.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
In Washington’s case, the most obvious corollary to his view of American national interest was the avoidance of a major war during the gestative phase of national development.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Meanwhile, 22 of the EU's 27 countries also called for emergency talks in an open letter, citing "serious concerns" regarding the developments in Ceuta.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
This aligns with the developments in the race, as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was loath to get involved in the race, jumped in to endorse Stevens late in the contest.
From Slate ● Aug. 1, 2026
Investors are closely watching earnings, developments in the Middle East and the Bank of Japan’s rate decision due later Friday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
That’s in line, frankly, with the developments in the race.
From Slate ● Jul. 30, 2026
Our developments beyond it all took place within the last few tens of thousands of years.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
