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

New York, however, has been able to monitor Shamet’s progress after their developmental team, the Westchester Knicks, selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA G-League Draft. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024

Since these factors and their varied combinations are specific to each individual, a one-of-a-kind developmental path is created, along with unique manifestations of any condition or disorder that may affect them. —Sharief Taraman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Buried deep inside the Lions’ 1990 media guide — within a list of roster moves made by the team in 1989 — is a passing mention of the Detroit native being signed to the Lions’ developmental squad on Sept. 6, 1989. —Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 8 Dec. 2024

The win put Davidson in the race to earn an Epson Tour exemption, which is the developmental tour of the LPGA Tour. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024

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