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developmental

adjective

de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce developmental (audio)
Synonyms of developmentalnext
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 adverb

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
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.
Their persistence raises health concerns, including links to immune disruption, certain cancers, and developmental risks. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025 Damar Village is a southwest Indianapolis neighborhood located in Decatur Township that provides affordable housing, including for those with developmental, behavioral and intellectual disabilities. Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025 The Broncos have been led offensively by redshirt sophomore Christian Hammond, who has had an atypical developmental timeline. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025 Faris and Pratt were told by a pediatric neurosurgeon that Jack had some severe brain bleeding, risking developmental ability in the future. Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for developmental

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of developmental was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

developmental

adjective
de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal -ˌvel-əp-ˈment-əl How to pronounce developmental (audio)
: of or relating to development
developmentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on developmental

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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