development

American  

[dih-vel-uhp-muhnt] / dɪˈvɛl əp mənt /

noun

1. the act or process of developing; growth; progress.

   child development; economic development.

   Synonyms:

   maturation, opening, evolution, growth, elaboration, expansion

   Antonyms:

   disintegration, deterioration

2. a significant consequence or event.

   recent developments in the field of science.

3. a developed or advanced state or form.

   Drama reached its highest development in the plays of Shakespeare.

   Synonyms:

   ripeness, maturity

4. 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.

5. 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

6. Chess. the act or process of developing chess pieces.

7. Mining. the work of digging openings, as tunnels, raises, and winzes, to give access to new workings, and of erecting necessary structures.

---

development British  

/ dɪˈvɛləpmənt /

noun

1. the act or process of growing, progressing, or developing

2. the product or result of developing

3. a fact, event, or happening, esp one that changes a situation

4. an area or tract of land that has been developed

5. Also called: development section.  the section of a movement, usually in sonata form, in which the basic musical themes are developed

6. chess

   1. the process of developing pieces

   2. the manner in which they are developed

   3. the position of the pieces in the early part of a game with reference to their attacking potential or defensive efficiency

---

Other Word Forms

• antidevelopment adjective
• developmental adjective
• developmentally adverb
• developmentary adjective
• hyperdevelopment noun
• hyperdevelopmental adjective
• nondevelopment noun
• nondevelopmental adjective
• nondevelopmentally adverb
• postdevelopmental adjective
• predevelopment noun
• self-development noun
• subdevelopment noun
• superdevelopment noun
• undevelopment noun
• undevelopmental adjective
• undevelopmentally adverb

Etymology

Origin of development

First recorded in 1745–55; develop + -ment, or from French développement

Example Sentences

For such companies, real estate offers a new revenue stream with relatively low risk, as property development partners handle construction, and buyers pay a premium for the aesthetic and exclusivity associated with their brand.

From BBC

“The retiree market is definitely shifting in Florida,” said Laura Cole, a senior vice president at Lakewood Ranch, a huge master planned community that includes posh developments targeted at retirees.

From The Wall Street Journal

Roborock said the Rover “is a real product in development,” but didn’t provide pricing or availability.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the case of small states like Samoa, diplomatic backing from a globally connected country like Israel can help in areas like development assistance, trade opportunities, training programs and technical cooperation.

From Barron's

In recent years, U.S. taxpayers have subsidized overseas shrimp farming to the tune of at least $195 million in development aid.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advancement
• evolution
• expansion
• improvement
• increase
• progress