developmental

adjective

de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce developmental (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or being development
developmental processes
developmental biology
broadly : experimental sense 2
developmental aircraft
b
: serving economic development
developmental highways
2
: designed to assist growth or bring about improvement (as of a skill)
developmental toys
developmentally adverb

Examples of developmental in a Sentence

A drop in temperature can slow the plant's developmental process. a child with developmental abnormalities My theory is still in its developmental stage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet, one of the most inspiring developmental stories in NBA history doesn’t happen without Antetokounmpo’s stint at the point. Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 Trick Williams is a popular choice among fans, given how much time he's spent in the developmental system. Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025 The teams also visit people in hospitals, in hospice, with special needs or developmental challenges and those dealing with disasters. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025 The Heat, behind the young and developmental part of its preseason roster, rallied from a seven-point deficit with two minutes left in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for developmental

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of developmental was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

developmental

adjective
de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal -ˌvel-əp-ˈment-əl How to pronounce developmental (audio)
: of or relating to development
developmentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on developmental

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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