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
dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce developmental (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of developmental

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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.
Parents often face a steep, expensive learning curve when navigating youth sports with older children, overscheduling them and committing developmental mistakes. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Charlotte has Ogden Syndrome, a rare condition that can cause severe developmental delays, and pica, an eating disorder that prompts her to try to eat nearly everything in reach, including non-food items. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 The groundbreaking children’s show was developed by Joan Ganz Cooney, whose father was Jewish, with the assistance of Gerald Lesser, a developmental psychologist born to Jewish immigrant parents. — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 To become a consistently productive defense this season, the Bears need a big developmental jump from Booker and another impactful season from Sweat. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 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

Phrases Containing developmental

Rhymes for developmental

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Browse Nearby Words

development
developmental
developmental biology
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Cite this Entry

“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

developmental

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