noun, takes する, intransitive verb

  1. development, growth, expansion, extension, flourishing.
  2. development (of a situation, story, etc.), advancement, progression, unfolding.
  3. playing around (sexually; esp. of a male homosexual), having an active sex life.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
発展 はってん

Contained Kanji Breakdown

departure, discharge, publish
ハツ ホツ た.つ (3rd, N4)
dotted tent radical (no. 105)
ハツ (Kentei 1)
open, initiate, begin
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
twenty, twenty or letter H radical (no. 55)
キョウ ク にじゅう (Kentei 1)
unfold, expand
テン のぶ のり (6th, N1)
corpse, remains, flag radical (no. 44)
シ かたしろ (Kentei 1)
twenty, twenty or letter H radical (no. 55)
キョウ ク にじゅう (Kentei 1)
garment, clothes, dressing
イ ころも きぬ (4th, N2)
kettle lid radical (no. 8)
トウ (Kentei 1)
garment, (衣 variant)