exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory surgery

exploratory drilling for oil

Examples of exploratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Learning how to plant without soil could be useful in other exploratory missions. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024

Endeavor has retained The Raine Group to assist with the exploratory process. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024

Independent exploratory testers, uninfluenced by internal biases or pressures, can identify new testing scenarios and edge cases, increasing test coverage and providing impartial quality assessment. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Comcast president Mike Cavanagh announced the exploratory plans on the conglomerate’s Q3 2024 earnings call. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing exploratory

• exploratory surgery

Kids Definition

exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​a·​to·​ry

ik-ˈsplōr-ə-ˌtōr-ē,

-ˌtȯr-

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory drilling for oil

an exploratory trip

exploratory surgery

Medical Definition

exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplōr-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˈsplȯr-, -ˌtȯr- 

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory surgery