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
As are the out-of-nowhere developmental pieces, such as Ajay Mitchell, Aaron Wiggins or Isaiah Joe.
—
Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Rather than directly determining whether someone becomes left- or right-eyed, genetic factors may bias the strength and developmental expression of lateral preferences in ways similar to handedness.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
It’s been her developmental potential, paired with a veteran’s on-court demeanor, that has impressed her new teammates so far.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
In college while studying developmental psychology, a professor pointed out during a lecture that infants learn language by hearing it.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for developmental
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Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Rather than directly determining whether someone becomes left- or right-eyed, genetic factors may bias the strength and developmental expression of lateral preferences in ways similar to handedness.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
It’s been her developmental potential, paired with a veteran’s on-court demeanor, that has impressed her new teammates so far.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
In college while studying developmental psychology, a professor pointed out during a lecture that infants learn language by hearing it.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for developmental
Cite this Entry
“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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