developmental disorder

noun

plural developmental disorders
: a condition (such as autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia) that is typically marked by delayed development or impaired function especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility : developmental disability
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders that include a wide range of symptoms, skills and levels of disability.Meredith Moss

Examples of developmental disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Autism, a complex developmental disorder that impacts the brain, has largely been found to have no single cause, although Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal believer that vaccines play a role in its prevalence. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 Glyphosate is a popular herbicide that has been linked to hormone disruptions and neurotoxic effects, including the development of autism and other developmental disorders in children. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025 In 2015, Dirk’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder. Colson Thayer, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025 And problems with that structure are associated with many diseases, including developmental disorders and cancer. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for developmental disorder

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of developmental disorder was in 1919

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Cite this Entry

“Developmental disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental%20disorder. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

developmental disorder

noun
: a condition (such as autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia) that is typically marked by delayed development or impaired function especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility : developmental disability
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