developmental

adjective

de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl 

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

dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of developmental

• experimental
• investigative

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

Winterburn has since signed with the Portland Fire as a developmental player. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

Instead, Jakucionis spent the first part of his rookie season in the G League with the Heat’s developmental affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026

But through all the travails of a second consecutive 10th-place finish, developmental strides were made, tangible growth spurts for what could follow. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026

The birds are currently in a developmental period, during which they're expected to stand longer and more frequently. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing developmental

• developmental biology
• developmental disability
• developmental disorder
• evolutionary developmental biology
• pervasive developmental disorder

Rhymes for developmental

• coincidental
• environmental
• experimental
• intersegmental
• nongovernmental
• transcontinental
• unsentimental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental

Kids Definition

developmental

adjective

de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal -ˌvel-əp-ˈment-əl 

: of or relating to development

developmentally

-əl-ē 

adverb