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
Acosta was left with fewer options in the final third than at any point of his four-year stay in Ohio, as the club was unable to adequately replace Brandon Vazquez and Brenner with developmental loanee Kevin Kelsy.
—
Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
It’s well established that the pre-natal period can have long-term effects on a baby’s health, and Barreto believes that phenomenon may extend to cancer risk if parents are exposed to carcinogens during this critical developmental time.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
The Spark Lab accepts proposals from plays, musicals or other theatrical experiences, such as puppetry, multi-media theater or immersive storytelling, that are reviewed for developmental opportunities.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
The threat of immigration enforcement has the potential to cause emotional, developmental, or economic challenges for millions of children who live day to day with the anxiety of deportation, according to many sources on the mental health of children impacted by immigration.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for developmental 
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.
Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
It’s well established that the pre-natal period can have long-term effects on a baby’s health, and Barreto believes that phenomenon may extend to cancer risk if parents are exposed to carcinogens during this critical developmental time.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
The Spark Lab accepts proposals from plays, musicals or other theatrical experiences, such as puppetry, multi-media theater or immersive storytelling, that are reviewed for developmental opportunities.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
The threat of immigration enforcement has the potential to cause emotional, developmental, or economic challenges for millions of children who live day to day with the anxiety of deportation, according to many sources on the mental health of children impacted by immigration.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 8 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share