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

Might not get drafted, developmental picks, etc. —Jake Ciely, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026

The right parenting style comes down to the needs and developmental pace of your children—but getting them outside to play more and teaching them to be resilient and fearless are probably not a bad idea anyway. —Amy Morin, Parents, 5 Mar. 2026

This pick is logical from both financial and developmental aspects. —Mike Kaye updated March 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026

Both his pediatrician and his developmental pediatrician refused to prescribe the pill, saying there just wasn’t enough research on it. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 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