DEVELOPMENT

n. 1 the act or an instance of developing; the process of being developed. 2 a a stage of growth or advancement. b a thing that has developed, esp. an event or circumstance (the latest developments). 3 a full-grown state. 4 the process of developing a photograph. 5 a developed area of land. 6 Mus. the elaboration of a theme or themes, esp. in the middle section of a sonata movement. 7 Chess the developing of pieces from their original position. development area Brit. one where new industries are encouraged in order to counteract unemployment.