development
Pluraldevelopments (some meanings)
- 1The process of growing or changing over time, often becoming more advanced or mature.
Like a seed slowly turning into a tall tree.
The development of the city took many years.
We watched the slow development of the plant.
UsageOften used with of: the development of the city.
Note
- 2The work of turning new ideas into things that solve real problems.
Like a cook taking a new recipe idea and making a real meal from it.
The company spends a lot on development to improve its products.
The scientists made the discovery, and the engineers handled the development.
UsageOften in research and development, or before another noun: a development team.
Note
- 3A new event or change in a situation.
Like a new turn in a road you didn't expect.
The reporter shared an exciting development in the story.
There were many new developments at work this week.
UsageOften plural: the latest developments, a new development.
Similarevent, change, turn, occurrence
- 4Building new houses, shops or offices on a piece of land, or a group of new buildings like this.
Like building a small new neighborhood from empty land.
A new development is going up near the train station.
They moved into a housing development last year.
UsageSay a housing development for the place, and the development of land for the work.
Note
Less common meanings
- 5The way film is treated with chemicals to make the hidden pictures show up.
Like soaking invisible ink in water until the words appear.
The development of the film took about an hour in the darkroom.
She learned the basics of development in a darkroom class.
Similarprocessing
Note
- 6In chess, moving your pieces into useful, active spots early in the game.
Like getting all your players onto the field before the game really starts.
Good development in the opening helps you win the game.
At chess club, Mia brought her knights and bishops out first, so her development was done early.
Note
- 7In music, changing and building on a tune heard earlier, especially in the middle part of some classical pieces.
The development takes the opening tune and changes it in surprising ways.
In the development, the music moves through many different keys.
Note
- 8In math, writing a function as a long sum of simpler terms.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of development apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from French, from an Old French word meaning "unrolling." It can be seen as "develop" plus "-ment." First used in 1756.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- The word comes from French. en.wiktionary.org
- Its French source derives from an Old French word meaning “unrolling.” en.wiktionary.org
- The word can be analysed as develop plus -ment. en.wiktionary.org
- The word was first used in 1756. en.wiktionary.org