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
Common fears at different developmental stages Children may develop phobias or anxiety disorders for a variety of reasons, including genetics, direct negative experiences with an event or object, observation of others or overhearing frightening information, Silverman said.
—
Julianna Bragg, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Tips for Successfully Trying Edutainment at Home Choose Purposefully: Look for tools that align with your child’s developmental stage and current school curriculum.
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 3 Feb. 2025
After spending years in the European independent wrestling circuit, Saraya made her WWE debut in the developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in 2011.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
But it wasn’t written all at once, likely changed over time, and may have left earlier versions behind in the developmental dust, according to the study.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for developmental 
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Julianna Bragg, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Tips for Successfully Trying Edutainment at Home Choose Purposefully: Look for tools that align with your child’s developmental stage and current school curriculum.
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 3 Feb. 2025
After spending years in the European independent wrestling circuit, Saraya made her WWE debut in the developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in 2011.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
But it wasn’t written all at once, likely changed over time, and may have left earlier versions behind in the developmental dust, according to the study.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for developmental
Dictionary Entries Near developmental
Cite this Entry
“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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