develop

To grow, expand, or advance into a more complete, mature, or complex state.

• The small startup quickly developed into a profitable software firm.

• How did your interest in marine biology develop over the years?

To design, create, or produce something new through systematic effort.

• Engineers spent three years developing a lighter battery for electric cars.

• The research team will develop a new testing protocol next month.

To begin to have a particular condition, symptom, habit, or feeling.

• He developed a severe cough after walking home through the freezing rain.

• Did she develop an allergy to dairy products as an adult?

To treat exposed photographic film with chemicals to make the captured image visible.

• She took the roll of black-and-white film to the lab to develop it.

• Have you ever developed your own photographs in a darkroom?

To improve raw land by constructing buildings, roads, or infrastructure.

• A local company plans to develop the vacant waterfront into mixed-use housing.

• The city council refused to let contractors develop the protected wetland.