morphogenesis

/ˌmɔrfəˈdʒɛnəsɪs/
noun
  1. The process by which living things develop their shape and structure, especially during growth or evolution.
    • Plant morphogenesis is influenced by both genetics and environmental conditions.
    • The morphogenesis of a butterfly involves dramatic changes from caterpillar to adult.
    • Scientists study morphogenesis to understand how organs form in embryos.
  2. The development or formation of a system, organization, or idea over time.
    • The morphogenesis of the internet transformed how people communicate worldwide.
    • The company's morphogenesis from a small startup to a global corporation took only ten years.
    • Urban morphogenesis describes how cities grow and change their layout over centuries.