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

No efforts have ever progressed beyond the exploratory stage. — Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

The pair made an exploratory trip to Korea around this time last year to meet people in the local industry and ask what role Gold House could play. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

The material comes together in five exploratory tracks that manage to find a certain stillness in between clear phases of upheaval. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026

That November, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources approved an exploratory drilling plan from the company on property next to it. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing exploratory

• exploratory surgery

Rhymes for exploratory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

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