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
This would also open one two-way contract slot for the Heat to add a developmental player.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
Northrop Grumman plans to integrate SiAW onto the F-35 once developmental testing progresses, giving the stealth fighter a new strike option against mobile missile launchers, jammers, command posts, and other high-priority targets.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
Three surviving siblings, ages 2, 4 and 5 at the time, were subsequently hospitalized with rickets, osteopenia, vitamin D deficiency and significant developmental delays, court records show.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Tuesday's episode of WWE's developmental brand will see NXT Women's North American Champion Blake Monroe defend her gold in an open challenge.
—Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for developmental
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.
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
Northrop Grumman plans to integrate SiAW onto the F-35 once developmental testing progresses, giving the stealth fighter a new strike option against mobile missile launchers, jammers, command posts, and other high-priority targets.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
Three surviving siblings, ages 2, 4 and 5 at the time, were subsequently hospitalized with rickets, osteopenia, vitamin D deficiency and significant developmental delays, court records show.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Tuesday's episode of WWE's developmental brand will see NXT Women's North American Champion Blake Monroe defend her gold in an open challenge.
—Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 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 13 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share