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
• investigative

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

The redshirt sophomore is part of a position group that is growing in depth and has experience with USC’s developmental process. —Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

These patterns were consistent across cultures and regions, suggesting a universal developmental effect. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

Each requires a general adherence to developmental milestones. —Ken Polk, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

For example, the Artemis 2 astronauts have repeatedly emphasized that their mission is developmental and, as such, the crew is not working to a schedule but instead to the pace of training and technology development. —Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 Sep. 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

Rhymes for developmental

• coincidental
• environmental
• experimental
• intersegmental
• nongovernmental
• transcontinental
• unsentimental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental

Kids Definition

developmental

adjective

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

: of or relating to development

developmentally

-əl-ē 

adverb