developmental
adj. · n.-
1 growth and progress (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Academicrelated to the way something grows, changes, or improves over time.
relating to the systematic process of growth, maturation, or evolution in a person, project, or organism.
ExampleThe doctor checked the child's developmental milestones to make sure she was growing well.
ExampleThe study tracks developmental changes in cognitive processing from early childhood through adolescence to identify critical windows for learning.
UsageOften used in psychology, biology, and business contexts to describe stages of progress.
- evolutionary
- progressive
- maturational
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2 experimental or early stage (adj.) C1 Advanced Technical Sciencerelated to the early stages of making or testing a new product.
relating to the experimental or preliminary stage of a product or system's lifecycle.
ExampleThe company is still in the developmental phase of its new electric car engine.
ExampleThe aircraft is currently undergoing developmental testing to ensure the new wing design can withstand extreme turbulence.
UsageCommonly used in engineering and pharmaceutical industries.
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3 a trainee (n.) C2 Proficiency Technicala person who is still learning a job, especially a flight controller.
a professional trainee, specifically used within aviation to refer to a student air traffic controller.
ExampleThe developmental spent the afternoon practicing landings on the flight simulator.
ExampleAs a developmental at the busy regional hub, he was required to complete five hundred hours of supervised radar operation before certification.
UsageThis noun sense is highly specific to the aviation industry.
- Noundevelopment
- Nounredevelopment
- Adjectivedevelopmental