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
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
Sadly, the label would have none of that experimental nonsense.
—
Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
For investors, this represents both opportunity and risk, but the institutional validation is real—BlackRock doesn't deploy billions into experimental technologies.
—Anastasia Chernikova, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
The James Brand That 3.5-liter twin-turbo hydrogen V6 and its 9,000-rpm redline don't represent just any experimental concept engine but a ferocious, power-doubling clean-burner aimed at rescuing the belovedly loud, rumbling, organ-rattling state of motorsport that fans love and demand.
—New Atlas, 20 June 2025
An experimental reusable rocket developed by the research and development arm of Honda Motor Company flew to an altitude of nearly 900 feet (275 meters) Tuesday, then landed with pinpoint precision at the carmaker's test facility in northern Japan, Ars reports.
—ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for experimental
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Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
For investors, this represents both opportunity and risk, but the institutional validation is real—BlackRock doesn't deploy billions into experimental technologies.
—Anastasia Chernikova, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
The James Brand That 3.5-liter twin-turbo hydrogen V6 and its 9,000-rpm redline don't represent just any experimental concept engine but a ferocious, power-doubling clean-burner aimed at rescuing the belovedly loud, rumbling, organ-rattling state of motorsport that fans love and demand.
—New Atlas, 20 June 2025
An experimental reusable rocket developed by the research and development arm of Honda Motor Company flew to an altitude of nearly 900 feet (275 meters) Tuesday, then landed with pinpoint precision at the carmaker's test facility in northern Japan, Ars reports.
—ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for experimental
Cite this Entry
“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/experimental. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
B. F. Skinner3
of a disease
: intentionally produced especially in laboratory animals for the purpose of study
experimental diabetes
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