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
Some children exhibit clear signs of developmental delays early on, while others may display subtle indicators that are easily overlooked.
—
First 5 La, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
While all kids develop at different paces, when is a lag in developmental milestones a cause for concern?
—Essence, 17 Apr. 2024
The sluggish dynamo means that the planet is at the tail end of its developmental stage, on its way to becoming a dead planet like Mars.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Tummy toys can vary in cost based on many variables, such as developmental stages, construction and materials, and other add-on features.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 6 Apr. 2024
In the early 2010s, Michael Frank, a developmental psychologist at Stanford who now leads the BabyView study, decided along with two colleagues to put head cams on their own babies.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
Among the 32 players in the G League who entered Sunday averaging eight or more three-point attempts per game, Swider holds the second-best three-point percentage in the developmental league.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2024
Years of scientific consensus show that detaining minors, even with their parents, can cause developmental damage.
—Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024
Paired with the 14 different learning cards, this tummy time play gym will satisfy all your baby’s developmental needs while also keeping them occupied with ease.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 6 Apr. 2024
First 5 La, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
While all kids develop at different paces, when is a lag in developmental milestones a cause for concern?
—Essence, 17 Apr. 2024
The sluggish dynamo means that the planet is at the tail end of its developmental stage, on its way to becoming a dead planet like Mars.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Tummy toys can vary in cost based on many variables, such as developmental stages, construction and materials, and other add-on features.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 6 Apr. 2024
In the early 2010s, Michael Frank, a developmental psychologist at Stanford who now leads the BabyView study, decided along with two colleagues to put head cams on their own babies.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
Among the 32 players in the G League who entered Sunday averaging eight or more three-point attempts per game, Swider holds the second-best three-point percentage in the developmental league.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2024
Years of scientific consensus show that detaining minors, even with their parents, can cause developmental damage.
—Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024
Paired with the 14 different learning cards, this tummy time play gym will satisfy all your baby’s developmental needs while also keeping them occupied with ease.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'developmental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near developmental
Cite this Entry
“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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