develop
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
develops;
developed;
developing
develops;
developed;
developing
Britannica Dictionary definition of DEVELOP
1
a
[+ object]
:
to cause (something) to grow or become bigger or more advanced
-
She has been exercising regularly to develop her back muscles.
-
The story was later developed into a novel.
-
The island has developed its economy around tourism.
-
The course is designed to develop your writing skills.
b
[no object]
:
to grow or become bigger or more advanced
— often + into
-
A blossom develops from a bud.
-
The doctor says that the child is developing normally.
-
In this class, we will be learning about how languages develop.
-
In a short time, the town developed into a city.
2
[+ object]
:
to create (something) over a period of time
-
Scientists are developing a treatment for the disease.
-
The company has developed a new method for recycling old tires.
3
[+ object]
:
to make (an idea, argument, theory, etc.) easier to understand by giving more information
-
He develops the concept/theory more fully in his book.
-
You need to develop your argument more.
4
[no object]
:
to gradually begin to exist
-
A dangerous situation is developing.
-
Romantic relationships often develop between coworkers.
-
Towns developed along this trade route hundreds of years ago.
5
[+ object]
:
to gradually begin to have (something)
-
As he grew older he developed [=acquired] a taste for expensive wines.
-
She developed an interest in music when she was just a child.
-
He developed a close relationship with her.
6
[+ object]
:
to begin to suffer from or be affected by (an illness, problem, etc.)
-
people who develop cancer late in life
-
The patient later developed a cough.
-
At some point the pipe developed a leak.
7
[no object]
chiefly US
:
to become known or understood
-
The facts of what had happened slowly developed over the next several days.
-
It eventually developed [=turned out] that he had forgotten to mail the package.
8
[+ object]
a
:
to build houses or other buildings on (land)
-
A builder wants to develop a large piece of land along the river.
b
:
to make (something) available for use
-
The government plans to develop the natural resources of this region.
9
[+ object]
:
to make a photograph from (film) by using special chemicals and a special process
-
Our vacation pictures should be developed by tomorrow.
-
Did you get the film developed yet?
