developmental disability

noun

plural developmental disabilities
: any of various conditions (such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, blindness, or fragile X syndrome) that usually become apparent during infancy or childhood and are marked by delayed development or functional limitations especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility
Two to three babies in 1,000 have cerebral palsy (CP), making it one of the most common developmental disabilities.Melanie Howard
Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people.Braema Mathi
developmentally disabled adjective
developmentally disabled students

Examples of developmental disability in a Sentence

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.
In 2018, eligibility was expanded to include those with developmental disabilities. Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025 State law says that an intellectual or developmental disability alone is not enough to qualify a person for a civil commitment. Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025 Revision is a nonprofit and creative arts program, funded through the San Diego Regional Center, which is among more than 20 of its kind throughout the state, providing support services for people with developmental disabilities. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025 Our readers had questions about the medical implications and the science of autism, a neurological and developmental disability. Caren Bohan, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for developmental disability

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of developmental disability was in 1944

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Developmental disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental%20disability. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

developmental disability

noun
: any of various conditions (as autism, cerebral palsy, or intellectual disability) that are marked by delayed or impaired development (as in learning, language, or mobility)
developmentally disabled adjective

Medical Definition

developmental disability

noun
: any of various conditions (as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, blindness, or fragile X syndrome) that usually become apparent during infancy or childhood and are marked by delayed development or functional limitations especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility
Two to three babies in 1,000 have cerebral palsy (CP), making it one of the most common developmental disabilities.Melanie Howard
Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people.Braema Mathi
developmentally disabled adjective
developmentally disabled children
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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