Development Definition & Meaning

development
noun
  1. act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining; "he congratulated them on their development of a plan to meet the emergency"; "they funded research and development"
  2. a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage); "the development of his ideas took many years"; "the evolution of Greek civilization"; "the slow development of her skill as a writer"
  3. (biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level; "he proposed an indicator of osseous development in children"
  4. a recent event that has some relevance for the present situation; "recent developments in Iraq"; "what a revolting development!"
  5. the act of making some area of land or water more profitable or productive or useful; "the development of Alaskan resources"; "the exploitation of copper deposits"
  6. a district that has been developed to serve some purpose; "such land is practical for small park developments"
  7. a state in which things are improving; the result of developing (as in the early part of a game of chess); "after he saw the latest development he changed his mind and became a supporter"; "in chess your should take care of your development before moving your queen"
  8. processing a photosensitive material in order to make an image visible; "the development and printing of his pictures took only two hours"
  9. (music) the section of a composition or movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes are developed and elaborated

"Development" in song lyrics

See how development is used in real songs:

  • "As long as the mood is somehow linked to my enhanced development"
    Aesop Rock f/ Slug — I'll Be OK
  • "to glitches mode of century development"
    Aesop Rock — Labor
  • "Post-up prevalent, in my development"
    Army of the Pharaohs — Swords Drawn

Usage tips for "development"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "development" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for development to find words that pair well.

Use "development" in a verse

Now that you know what "development" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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