experimental

adjective

ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce experimental (audio)
 also  -ˌspir-
1
: of, relating to, or based on experience or experiment
2
a
: serving the ends of or used as a means of experimentation
an experimental school
b
: relating to or having the characteristics of experiment : tentative
still in the experimental stage
experimentally
ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce experimental (audio)
 also  -ˌspir-
adverb

Examples of experimental in a Sentence

The fuel is being used on an experimental basis. an experimental procedure for patients suffering from leukemia
Recent Examples on the Web In an experimental photo-op, supermodel Anok Yai sported a rough bowl cut, which was a standalone look against the curls of the week. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 26 Apr. 2024 This week, Venice rolled out an experimental policy to charge day visitors a fee to access the historic city center, and the Indonesian island of Bali started imposing a tourist tax at the start of this year. Koh Ewe, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024 While the charge in Venice is still in its experimental stage, other popular Italian tourism destinations like Lake Como, which has struggled with overcrowding for years, are watching closely. Claudio Lavanga, NBC News, 25 Apr. 2024 No stranger to making wine, David’s early experience included working at the Eyrie Vineyards and experimental vineyards at the Lycée Viticole in Burgundy. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024 Tolleson, a small city about 11 miles west of Phoenix, will serve as the third home base for Amazon’s experimental drone project, the delivery service powerhouse announced in a news release on Monday. Abigail Beck, The Arizona Republic, 25 Apr. 2024 What followed was a prolific run of incisive and experimental productions. Imani Perry Janina Edwards Krish Seenivasan Devin Murphy, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024 Analyzing the experimental data took another decade. Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024 Anchored by three arresting performances and playfully experimental direction, Challengers is fresh, exhilarating, and energetic. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'experimental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin experīmentālis, from Latin experīmentum "testing, experience, proof" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at experiment entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of experimental was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near experimental

Cite this Entry

“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/experimental. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

experimental

adjective
ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce experimental (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or based on experience or experiment
experimental evidence
b
: subjected to the condition that is different from normal for a factor being tested in an experiment
the experimental group
2
: relating to or having the characteristics of experiment : tentative sense 1
still in the experimental stage
experimentally adverb

Medical Definition

experimental

adjective
ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl also -ˌspir- How to pronounce experimental (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or based on experience or experiment
2
: founded on or derived from experiment
the heart of the experimental method is the direct control of the thing studiedB. F. Skinner
3
of a disease : intentionally produced especially in laboratory animals for the purpose of study
experimental diabetes
experimentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on experimental

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