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
The middle child’s developmental and behavioral challenges – the result of his mother’s substance use before birth – proved particularly daunting.
—
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024
Scott Meadows/Consumer Report Parents who have given their children cassava puffs should not panic, but instead be cognizant that the amounts found by Consumer Reports could over time raise the risk of developmental problems, such as lower IQ, ADHD and autism.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 June 2024
Co-occurring disorders included behavioral problems such as anxiety or depression and developmental problems such as a learning disability or a speech delay.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 27 May 2024
Many of the youths at these sites, mostly teenagers, have severe mental illnesses or developmental delays.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for developmental 
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024
Scott Meadows/Consumer Report Parents who have given their children cassava puffs should not panic, but instead be cognizant that the amounts found by Consumer Reports could over time raise the risk of developmental problems, such as lower IQ, ADHD and autism.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 June 2024
Co-occurring disorders included behavioral problems such as anxiety or depression and developmental problems such as a learning disability or a speech delay.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 27 May 2024
Many of the youths at these sites, mostly teenagers, have severe mental illnesses or developmental delays.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for developmental
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'developmental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near developmental
Cite this Entry
“Developmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
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