developmental
adjective
de·vel·op·men·tal
dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or being development
developmental processes
developmental biology
b
: serving economic development
developmental highways
2
: designed to assist growth or bring about improvement (as of a skill)
developmental toys
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
Lead ingestion is toxic for young children and may cause a range of serious health effects, including developmental delays and neurological damage, the CPSC said in the recall announcement.
—
Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Best Tummy Time Activity Placing your newborn on their stomach is highly recommended for hitting major developmental milestones.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Study after study tells us that early identification and intervention for children with developmental delays is critical.
—Dr. Sunny Patel, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
According to Alison Gopnik, a developmental psychologist at UC Berkeley who also studies AI, the current debate about sentient machines revolves around this fundamental confusion.
—Webb Wright, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for developmental
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Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Best Tummy Time Activity Placing your newborn on their stomach is highly recommended for hitting major developmental milestones.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Study after study tells us that early identification and intervention for children with developmental delays is critical.
—Dr. Sunny Patel, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
According to Alison Gopnik, a developmental psychologist at UC Berkeley who also studies AI, the current debate about sentient machines revolves around this fundamental confusion.
—Webb Wright, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for developmental
Cite this Entry
“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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