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

If Minnesota doesn’t want to promote Eliska Hamzova from her developmental contract (which is the easiest option), the biggest salary the Lynx can reasonably trade is Coffey. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Research has consistently shown that social deprivation and isolation during critical developmental periods are associated with harm to cognitive development and language acquisition. — Anna Tsioulias, STAT, 29 July 2026

The hairline is simply where one developmental decision gives way to another. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

These systems protect a country’s developmental infrastructure. — Douglas Depeppe, Sportico.com, 27 July 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