explore

verb

ex·​plore ik-ˈsplȯr How to pronounce explore (audio)
explored; exploring

transitive verb

1
a
: to investigate, study, or analyze : look into
explore the relationship between social class and learning ability
sometimes used with indirect questions
to explore where ethical issues ariseR. T. Blackburn
b
: to become familiar with by testing or experimenting
explore new cuisines
2
: to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery
3
: to examine especially for diagnostic purposes
explore the wound

intransitive verb

: to make or conduct a systematic search
explore for oil

Examples of explore in a Sentence

Researchers are exploring how language is acquired by children. The book explores a number of controversial issues. You need to explore your feelings on this subject more carefully. an opportunity to explore different activities The children were encouraged to explore mathematics. I decided to go out and explore the town. They were sent to explore unknown regions of Africa.
Recent Examples on the Web That question of contemporary usage and semantics is one of about a hundred things that will come to be debated over the course of an hour-and-a-half comedy that finds its laughs largely in exploring racial and/or generational differences. Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Mar. 2024 Ensuring safety and security is crucial in the vast emptiness of space, where satellites orbit and expeditions to explore the unknown take place. Kyle Russell, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024 The hotel also boasts a championship golf course, marina, and full-service spa, and rooms offer views of Tampa Bay, the marina, or landscaped gardens. Be sure to walk into town to explore. Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024 At a European Council summit this week, the bloc agreed to explore new ways to raise funds for Ukraine - including by raising debt on financial markets and, controversially, using profits from frozen Russian assets. Luke McGee, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 His book explores how societies both embrace change, and resist it. CBS News, 23 Mar. 2024 Free Press Flashback explores the work of Robert Hayden, the celebrated poet who grew up in Detroit's Paradise Valley. Tom Stanton, Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2024 In Giddens’ conversation with IMPACT x Nightline, the musician — who is a time-time Grammy winner — stresses that Cowboy Carter is more about Beyoncé exploring her family’s roots than crossing over for the sake of crossing over. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024 Thus, Disneyland was a natural theme for the family to explore for the backyard garden. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explore.' 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

Latin explorare, from ex- + plorare to cry out

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of explore was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near explore

Cite this Entry

“Explore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explore. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

explore

verb
ex·​plore ik-ˈsplō(ə)r How to pronounce explore (audio)
-ˈsplȯ(ə)r
explored; exploring
1
a
: to search through : look into
exploring new ideas
b
: to go into or travel over for purposes of discovery or adventure
explore a cave
explore the moon
c
: to examine carefully and in detail especially in order to make a diagnosis
explore a wound
2
: to make a careful search
explore for oil

Medical Definition

explore

transitive verb
explored; exploring
: to examine (as by surgery) especially for diagnostic purposes
the abdomen may need to be explored surgicallyDonald Caslow
exploration noun

More from Merriam-Webster on explore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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