developmental disorder

noun

plural developmental disorders
: a condition (such as autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia) that is typically marked by delayed development or impaired function especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility : developmental disability
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders that include a wide range of symptoms, skills and levels of disability.Meredith Moss

Examples of developmental disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
All the students in the class at the Small Fish Big Fish swim school had autism, a developmental disorder linked to a higher-than-average danger of drowning. Jennifer Peltz, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025 For one, most scientists believe autism to be a developmental disorder, likely with a genetic basis. Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 But to say that the developmental disorder is linked to environmental causes is misleading, Tager-Flusberg explained, reiterating that there are hundreds of genes associated with autism. Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025 Microplastics are now found in human organs—livers, kidneys, even placentas—and plastics leach chemicals linked to cancers, developmental disorders, and immune dysfunctions. Marianne Lehnis, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for developmental disorder

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of developmental disorder was in 1919

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Developmental disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental%20disorder. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

developmental disorder

noun
: a condition (such as autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia) that is typically marked by delayed development or impaired function especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility : developmental disability
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!