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

But this week Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar ​Momeni visited Islamabad for the second time in 10 days to participate in exploratory discussions, according to Reuters. — Chloe Taylor,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 24 July 2026

Sharks do not typically view humans as prey, but, as wildlife biologist Forrest Galante explained to OutKick Outdoors, a curious or agitated shark can still do plenty of damage with an exploratory bite. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

Second, transform exploratory interviews into pitch meetings. — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Jackson had filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to launch a Senate exploratory committee. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 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