1grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate: [no object]:motion pictures were to develop into mass entertainment (as adjective developing)this is a rapidly developing field [with object]:enabling individuals to develop their personal skills
[no object] (often as adjective developing) (of a poor agricultural country) become more economically and socially advanced:the developing world
[with object] convert (land) to a new purpose by constructing buildings or making other use of its resources:plans to develop the area
construct or convert (a building) so as to improve existing resources:the company developed a chain of hotels
[with object] elaborate (a musical theme) by modification of the melody, harmony, or rhythm:the piano develops the melody into a short cadenza
2start to exist, experience, or possess: [no object]:a strange closeness developed [with object]:I developed an interest in lawcall the doctor if your child develops a rash
3 [with object] treat (a photographic film) with chemicals to make a visible image:she came to get the film developed (as adjective developing)a developing tank
4 [with object] Chess bring (a piece) into play from its initial position on a player’s back rank:he preferred to develop his bishop on e7
