Definition of research and development in US English:
 research and development
nounrəˈsərtʃ ən dəˈvɛləpmənt
- (in industry) work directed toward the innovation, introduction, and improvement of products and processes. -  Example sentencesExamples -  Gone are the days when innovation used to be the exclusive domain of research and development.
-  Sophia had experience in research and development for a major cosmetics manufacturer.
-  One consequence has been an inability to make a commitment and investment in the critical area of research and development.
-  In other words, it does not encourage investment in technology research and development.
-  The remainder will go toward research and development and working capital.
-  The manufacturers were so busy making product that little was done in the way of research and development.
-  They do not export, they do not invest in research and development.
-  Its short-term future lies in research and development not large-scale energy generation.
-  Sector followers say investors should also find out if a company has enough funding to carry out research and development.
-  As the business grew and more staff were taken on he was able to spend more time on research and development.
-  It also carries out research and development into new shoecare and household cleaning products.
-  Possible measures include giving oil and gas exploration the same status as industrial research and development.
-  Improvements appear to have been made in supply-chain management and in research and development.
-  It can also be justified if it involves research and development and a completely new product.
-  Scottish companies, however, invest around half the UK average in research and development.
-  There was extra cash for small firms and research and development, especially in manufacturing.
-  The company spent a lot of money on research and development and new products were coming on stream, but not fast enough.
-  He said the company would continue to invest in research and development and build its product range.
-  A third of them are working on research and development and another third exclusively on new products.
-  There are still huge opportunities, notably in traded services such as finance and in research and development.