to use or develop something for profit or progress in business: exploit resources/technology/information We need to make sure that we exploit our resources as fully as possible.

exploit something (disapproving) to treat a person or situation as an opportunity to gain an advantage for yourself He exploited his father's name to get himself a job. She realized that her youth and inexperience were being exploited.

exploit (third-person singular simple present exploits, present participle exploiting, simple past and past participle exploited) (transitive) To use (something) to someone's advantage, such as one's own benefit or a society 's benefit.

ex•ploit2 /ɪkˈsplɔɪt/ v. [ ~ + object] to use for profit; turn to practical account: to exploit a business opportunity. to use selfishly for one's own ends: a company that exploits its workers with low pay and no benefits.