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.
Youth sports as developmental spaces School sports are not just about competition. — Megan Gandy, The Conversation, 1 July 2026 And Morocco’s win over the Dutch on Monday via penalty kicks suggests that recent developmental efforts have come to fruition. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 June 2026 He was recently rewarded with a $1 billion developmental deal at NBC Universal. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 Few countries combine Ethiopia’s scale, history, demographic weight, and developmental ambitions. — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 1 July 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 10 Jul. 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

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