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
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
Set among aspen groves and oriented toward views of Pineview Reservoir and the Great Salt Lake, Prado is also the first neighborhood shaped entirely by the current development team, which determined lot placement, building envelopes, and view corridors.
—
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, which has complained about state aid for decades, was very happy about the latest development.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
While there’s competition, including from companies like Ezee Fiber and Metronet, Mike Elam, i3’s vice president of community affairs and market development, believes i3 has the largest footprint in the county.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The story began in the late 19th century, when San Francisco paved over its coastal dunes for development, taking with it a tiny, iridescent butterfly known as the Xerces blue.
—Itay Hod, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for development
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Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, which has complained about state aid for decades, was very happy about the latest development.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
While there’s competition, including from companies like Ezee Fiber and Metronet, Mike Elam, i3’s vice president of community affairs and market development, believes i3 has the largest footprint in the county.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The story began in the late 19th century, when San Francisco paved over its coastal dunes for development, taking with it a tiny, iridescent butterfly known as the Xerces blue.
—Itay Hod, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for development
Cite this Entry
“Development.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/development. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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