development

The process of growing, changing, or becoming better over time.

• Play helps with child development.
• The town has seen rapid economic development.
• We followed the development of her ideas.

How to use it: development of something (Reading supports the development of language skills.)

Similar words: growth, progress

Opposites: decline

Common phrases: child development, economic development, personal development

A new event or change in a situation.

• There is a new development in the case.
• The latest developments surprised everyone.
• Please keep me informed of any further developments.

Similar words: event, change

Common phrases: latest development, new development, unexpected development

Work that turns new ideas or discoveries into useful products or methods.

• She works in product development.
• Software development takes careful planning.
• The team spent two years on the development of a safer battery.

How to use it: development of something (The company invests in the development of new medicines.)

Common phrases: product development, software development, research and development

A group of new buildings built together, or a project to build them.

• They live in a new housing development.
• The development includes shops and apartments.
• Several developments are planned near the station.

Similar words: building project

Common phrases: housing development, residential development, new development

The process in which new cells build a living thing or one of its parts.

• The cells divide during early development.
• Healthy tissue development requires enough nutrients.
• Scientists studied the development of the embryo.

How to use it: development of something (These genes control the development of the brain.)

Common phrases: embryonic development, fetal development, organ development

Moving chess pieces from their starting squares to useful positions early in a game.

• Good development helps you control the board.
• Moving the same knight twice slowed his development.
• White completed development before starting an attack.

Common phrases: piece development, rapid development, early development