WordGarden.iodevelopment
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
US
- /dɪˈvɛləpmənt/
Meanings
Noun
the process of growing, changing, or becoming more advanced
organized work to create or improve a product, project, business, or system
the activity of writing, building, and improving software
More meaningsFewer meanings
a new event or piece of information in an ongoing situation
a planned area of new buildings or the work of building it
the chemical processing of photographic film to make images visible
Beyond the definition
Development isn't just about buildings going up or babies growing! It's the process of change and improvement over time—whether it's a city expanding, a character in a story maturing, or even a photograph developing to reveal its image. Think of a seed becoming a mighty tree; that's development in action. You might talk about economic development (making a country wealthier), personal development (becoming a better version of yourself), or the development of a new technology. It's all about moving forward, growing, and evolving.
The word "development" refers to the process of growth, advancement, or evolution over time. It's a surprisingly versatile term with meanings that stretch across many different fields—from biology and economics to personal growth and storytelling.
Think of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly: that's biological development. Or consider how a small town might undergo urban development, building new infrastructure and attracting more residents. Economically, "development" often refers to improving the standard of living in a country or region—increasing wealth, education, and healthcare access.
But development isn't limited to physical changes. Personal development focuses on growing as an individual—improving skills, overcoming challenges, and achieving goals. In literature, character development describes how a fictional person changes throughout a story, learning from their experiences and evolving into someone different.
Even in photography, "development" refers to the process of bringing an image into view! The term can also refer to the act of constructing something—like real estate development, where land is prepared for building.
So, whether it's a gradual unfolding, a deliberate improvement, or the construction of something new, "development" always implies a movement from one state to another—a journey towards growth and progress.
Examples
- 1
Medical research
The company is investing in the development of a new cancer drug.
- 2
Child growth
Good sleep is important for brain development in young children.
- 3
Product progress
The game is still in development, so some parts are unfinished.
- Phrasein development
being made
- 4
Software work
She works in software development for a small startup.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Local economy
New factories brought jobs and economic development to the area.
- 6
Police case
A recent development in the case has changed the police investigation.
- Phrasea recent development
a new important event or change
- 7
Housing area
They bought a townhouse in a new development outside Seattle.
- 8
Teacher training
The course is designed to support teachers' professional development.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- economic development
- child development
- sustainable development
Word family
Explore
- life cycle
- innovation
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- developmentnoun
Forms
- developmentspluralnoun