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.
Advertisement China’s latest Five-Year Plan, which lays out the economic objectives and developmental trajectory of the country, places technological self-sufficiency at the center of national policy. Neil Shearing, Time, 20 May 2026 The development itself is essentially an artificial eggshell, one that allows almost the entire developmental process to occur without the shell. ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026 Lead is a potent neurotoxin associated with developmental problems in children. Evan Bush, NBC news, 20 May 2026 The fact that Roki Sasaki, who authored the best start of his MLB career against the Angels over the weekend, and Sheehan have shown developmental strides as the year’s gone on will also help mitigate the effects of Snell and Glasnow’s absences. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 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 21 May. 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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