de·vel·op·ment 
(dĭ-vĕləp-mənt)
(dĭ-vĕləp-mənt)n.
1. The act of developing or the state of being developed, as:
a. The application of techniques or technology to the production of new goods or services.
b. The business of constructing buildings or otherwise altering land for new uses.
2. A significant event, occurrence, or change: a news story covering the latest developments in the scandal.
3. A group of dwellings built by the same contractor: bought a condo in a new development built by the river.
4. The organized activity of soliciting donations or grants; fundraising.
5. Music
a. Elaboration of a theme with rhythmic and harmonic variations.
b. The central section of a movement in sonata form, in which the theme is elaborated and explored.
de·vel′op·mental (-mĕntl) adj.
de·vel′op·mental·ly adv.