experimental

adjective

ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

 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 

 also  -ˌspir-

adverb

Synonyms

• developmental
• investigative
• trial
• preliminary
• pilot

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

Even if Europe can speed up adoption of the more experimental tech on the lower end, there’s still the problem of volume. —Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025

Nylon and The Fader started covering their work; orders came in from retailers that favored experimental brands. —Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025

As per the team, the pioneering solution marks a massive step forward in making the first hydride ion prototype battery, moving the technology from a theoretical concept to experimental proof of its feasibility. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025

Late ‘80s delves into electronic minimalism, dreamy club, and experimental guitar, all seven songs imbued with the dull glow of starry skies. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 19 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing experimental

• pre-experimental

Rhymes for experimental

• coincidental
• developmental
• environmental
• intersegmental
• nongovernmental
• transcontinental
• unsentimental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental

Kids Definition

experimental

adjective

ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl 

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

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

experimental

adjective

ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl also -ˌspir- 

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 studied

—B. F. Skinner

3

of a disease : intentionally produced especially in laboratory animals for the purpose of study

experimental diabetes

experimentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb