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
More likely, the Heat could use Rozier’s spot to sign a developmental player to a multi-year contract (with minimal financial guarantees) late in the season.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
This season is not leading to a playoff spot, so the Jets should lean into developmental auditions for players such as Salomonsson, Zhilkin, Lambert, Chibrikov from the trade deadline through the rest of the season.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
The sun might have experienced a similar developmental stage in its infancy, the researchers say.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 25 Feb. 2026
After that, franchises would pay for housing for players on minimum salary contracts, rookies in their first season and the two developmental players teams would be allowed to have.
—Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
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.
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
This season is not leading to a playoff spot, so the Jets should lean into developmental auditions for players such as Salomonsson, Zhilkin, Lambert, Chibrikov from the trade deadline through the rest of the season.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
The sun might have experienced a similar developmental stage in its infancy, the researchers say.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 25 Feb. 2026
After that, franchises would pay for housing for players on minimum salary contracts, rookies in their first season and the two developmental players teams would be allowed to have.
—Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
