developmentde·vel·op·ment /dɪˈveləpmənt/ noun1[uncountableU] the growth or improvement of something, so that it becomes bigger or more advancedpromises of economic development and thousands of new jobs
development of the hand-held dictionary market in Japan
She saw the qualification as a part of her professional development.
helping staff with their career development
→ economic development → human resource development → management development → web development2[uncountableU]MARKETING the process of planning and making new products or providing new servicesThe new phone is the result of two years of development by AT&T units.
The Japanese approach to product development is spreading around Detroit.
→ see also research and development → brand development3[uncountableU]PROPERTY the process of planning and building new houses, offices etc, or improving existing onesthe development of office buildings, shopping centers and apartment complexes
→ property development4 (also real-estate development American EnglishAmE), housing development British EnglishBrE [countableC]PROPERTY a group of new buildings that have all been planned and built together on the same piece of landlow-income families living in high-rise housing developments
5[uncountableU] the process of creating a plan, policy, or ideathe development of a coherent transport policy
6[uncountableU] the using of a natural substance or product in order to make a profitThis includes $370 million for the development of the East Brae Field in the United Kingdom North Sea.
7[countableC] a new event or piece of news that will have an effect on the present situationThe G-8 will discuss international financial developments, including the continued weakness of the yen.