developmental

adjective

de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl 

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 

adverb

Synonyms

• experimental
• pilot
• trial

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

That said, the details a parent offers, as well as a child’s reaction, will vary greatly by developmental stage. —Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025

Serving as a developmental platform for NASCAR's three national touring series, it is regarded as a semi-professional league. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

The Huskers still strive to be known as a developmental program. —Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

The other four house people with developmental and physical disabilities and those with behavioral challenges. —Caitlin Granfield, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing developmental

• developmental biology
• developmental disability
• developmental disorder
• evolutionary developmental biology
• pervasive developmental disorder

Kids Definition

developmental

adjective

de·​vel·​op·​men·​tal -ˌvel-əp-ˈment-əl 

: of or relating to development

developmentally

-əl-ē 

adverb