develop

verb (START)

/dɪˈvel.əp/

Definition

B1 [T] to invent something or bring something into existence: We must develop a new policy/strategy to deal with the problem. The company is spending $650 million on developing new products/technology.Inventing, designing and innovationCreating and producing C2 [I] to start to happen or exist: Large cracks began to develop in the wall.Starting and beginningStarting again B2 [I or T] If you develop an illness or problem, or if it develops, you start to suffer from it: The study showed that one in twelve women is likely to develop breast cancer. She's developed some very strange habits lately.Being and falling ill › [T] to build houses, factories, shops, etc. on a piece of land: They're planning to develop the whole site into a shopping complex.Construction work and workers

(Definition of develop verb (START) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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