educational (adj.)

1650s, "due to education;" 1830, "pertaining to education;" from education + -al (1). Meaning "intending or serving to educate" is attested by 1935. Related: Educationally.

We do not, therefore, consider it any especial merit of a new dictionary, that it contains a large number of words which have not been in its predecessors. Whether those words are merely local or personal, as "equaled," introduced by Dr. Webster, on the usage of his own writing-desk, or such barbarisms as "conversationism" and "educational," tolerated by Dr. Worcester on the very poor authority of the Eclectic Review, they are only to be harbored as a sort of Japanese sailors, or of Kanackas, whom we send away from us as soon as we can. [review of Joseph E. Worcester's "Dictionary of the English Language," Christian Examiner, May 1860]