developmental
adjective
de·vel·op·men·tal
dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or being development
developmental processes
developmental biology
b
: serving economic development
developmental highways
2
: designed to assist growth or bring about improvement (as of a skill)
developmental toys
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
My key takeaways from this conference included the importance of relational and developmental leadership, systems literacy and the democratization of leadership tools.
—
Maureen Metcalf, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Long-term exposure may contribute to developmental delays, lower IQ and behavioral issues in children.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Severe Autism Coexisting Conditions Many people with severe autism also live with other medical, developmental, or mental health conditions that can increase the complexity of care.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025
Changes to diagnosis age, hearing rules House Bill 5001 also raises the age by which a child can be diagnosed with a developmental delay from age 5 to age 8.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for developmental
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Maureen Metcalf, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Long-term exposure may contribute to developmental delays, lower IQ and behavioral issues in children.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Severe Autism Coexisting Conditions Many people with severe autism also live with other medical, developmental, or mental health conditions that can increase the complexity of care.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025
Changes to diagnosis age, hearing rules House Bill 5001 also raises the age by which a child can be diagnosed with a developmental delay from age 5 to age 8.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for developmental
Cite this Entry
“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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