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 of developmental

• 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

Their participation added hands-on learning to the developmental flight-test work. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

The family helplessly searched for the 20-year-old, who struggled with developmental delays and whose speech was at times difficult to understand. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

The procession is put on by Passion Works, a local art studio run by people with and without developmental differences. — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026

Amid Heat developmental seasons, greater patience tends to be in place. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

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