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 The organs were transplanted under special rules that permit compassionate use of experimental therapies for patients in especially dire situations. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 In town in the fall after a performance at Pitchfork Music Festival Paris, Gray chose the venue to discuss Qwerty I and II, her dual-EP scrapbook of a strange year, collaged from mutant alt-rock, experimental pop, and hypnagogic R&B. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 21 Mar. 2024 The board now presents the San Francisco Symphony as a survivor forgoing experimental treatment and in need of a cautious caretaker. Boards! Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 His works were considered the most experimental in the show and earned high praise from the press. Shantay Robinson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 What was your experience like making Rock Love? Rock Love was very experimental. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Hearing the band take on Devo and Spinal Tap songs is a kick, while other material showcases the band’s spacey experimental side. Al Shipley, SPIN, 9 Mar. 2024 The agency denied Lilly’s application for accelerated approval in January 2023, focusing in on the trial’s unique design that allowed participants to stop taking the experimental drug after scans showed a certain level of amyloid had been cleared from the brain. David Ovalle, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Lilly is also working on an experimental pill comparable to amycretin, one that has reported body weight losses of 14.7% in 36 weeks in trials. Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 8 Mar. 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 28 Mar. 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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