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development definition

de·vel·op·ment (di vel′əp mənt)

noun

  1. a developing or being developed
  2. a step or stage in growth, advancement, etc.
  3. an event or happening
  4. a thing that is developed; specif., a number of structures on a large tract of land, built by a real-estate developer

Etymology: Fr développement

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business development definition - business

medical development definition - medical

development Synonyms

development

n.

  1. Improvement

    gain, rise, advancement; see improvement 1, progress 1.

  2. The process of growth

    growth, unfolding, elaboration, maturing, progress (toward a more perfect state), ripening, maturation, progress to maturity, enlargement, expansion, augmentation, addition, spread, evolution, gradual evolution, evolving, advancement, improvement, reinforcement, growing, increasing, elaborating, spreading, developing, adding to, reinforcing, progressing, perfecting, making progress, advancing; see also increase 1.

    Antonyms reduction*, decrease*, lessening. *

  3. A real estate development

    subdivision, housing development, community, tract, addition, annex, shopping center, enlargement, extension, expansion, branch, construction.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

development Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • continue: Additional outcomes: The module plays a significant role in the continuing development of other skills and competencies which are central to the course.

Adjective modifier

  • sustainable: Trade unions at the Earth Summit You may think sustainable development has very little to do with trade unions.

Modifies a noun

  • agency: East Midlands Development Agency ( EMDA ) EMDA is one of nine regional development agencies in England.

Noun used with modifier

  • career: It may also inhibit the career development of those with NVQ awards.
development usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

development quotes

That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical naturehave been introduced.

-Anonymous

   In retrospect it always seems as if everything had to develop just the way it did. I call this view the fallacy of retrospective determinismöwhich looks at the modern world as a victory of the children of light over the children of darkness if we approve of the development, and of darkness over light if we condemn it.

-Bendix, Reinhard

The only real distinction at this dangerous moment in human historyand cosmic development has nothing to do with medals and ribbons. Not to fall asleep is distinguished. Everything else is mere popcorn.

-Bellow, Saul

development quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"development." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/development>

APA Style

development. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/development

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