developmental

adjective

de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce developmental (audio)
Synonyms of developmentalnext
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 adverb

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
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.
Before that, people with mental illnesses or developmental and intellectual disabilities were largely confined to institutions. Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 But the Heat’s new undrafted two-way contract developmental project, Miami Hurricanes guard Tre Donaldson, is also a player to watch this summer. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Few countries combine Ethiopia’s scale, history, demographic weight, and developmental ambitions. Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Before that, people with mental illnesses or developmental and intellectual disabilities were largely confined to institutions. ABC News, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for developmental

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of developmental was in 1830

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Cite this Entry

“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

developmental

adjective
de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal -ˌvel-əp-ˈment-əl How to pronounce developmental (audio)
: of or relating to development
developmentally adverb

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