1 [noncount] : the act or process of growing or causing something to grow or become larger or more advanced
▪ Good nutrition is important for proper muscle development. ▪ efforts to promote economic development [=growth] ▪ experts in child development ▪ The company offers many opportunities for professional/personal/career development. — often + of ▪ the development of the English language ▪ The vitamin may help prevent the development of cancer. 2 [noncount] a : the act or process of creating something over a period of time
▪ The software is still in the early stages of development. — often + of ▪ The company is working on (the) development of a new method for recycling old tires. — see also research and development
b : the state of being created or made more advanced
▪ The new system is still under development. [=being developed] ▪ She has a number of projects in development. [=(informal) in the works] 3 [count] : something that has happened or has become known
▪ I try to keep up with the latest developments in computer technology. ▪ Have there been any new developments in the case? 4 a [count] : an area of land with buildings that were all built at around the same time
▪ a condominium development ▪ new commercial and industrial developments — see also housing development
b [noncount] : the process of building a group of houses or other buildings on an area of land
▪ A large piece of land along the river was sold for development. 5 [noncount] : the chemical process by which photographic film is used to make a photograph
▪ chemicals used for the development of film