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

There are proven emotional and developmental benefits to kids learning, listening, and singing along to music. — Parents, 6 Nov. 2026

Unlike a complete missile flight, this test focused on the developmental reentry vehicle. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

The Bulls had achieved that ideal of a developmental loss — young players balling out, high intensity through the final whistle, playing a tough opponent close — in their previous game against the New York Knicks. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026

Golisano also founded the Golisano Foundation, one of the largest private foundations focused on supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 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