explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplȯr-ər 

1

: one that explores

especially : a person who travels in search of geographical or scientific information

2

Explorer : a member of a coed scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America for young people ages 14 to 20 focusing on career awareness

Examples of explorer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier this summer, Fickell gave his team a quick history lesson about Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés and the 1519 conquest of the Aztec Empire, when Cortés famously scuttled his fleet of ships and any chance to retreat. — Justin Williams, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Closed to the public for decades, the island reopened for limited tours in 2009 and has since become a magnet for urban explorers and film crews. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026

Plant explorer and botanist David Fairchild, namesake of Miami’s premier botanical garden, believed the tree was too cold-sensitive to survive South Florida’s winters. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

The challenge is that large organizations are typically suspicious of people with an explorer's style of passion. — John Hagel, Time, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for explorer

• restorer
• borer
• corer
• horror
• maurer
• scorer
• storer

Kids Definition

explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplōr-ər 

-ˈsplȯr-

1

: one that explores

a vehicle called the lunar explorer

especially : a person who travels in search of new geographical or scientific information

2

capitalized : a member of the scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America for young people 14 to 20 years old

Medical Definition

explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplōr-ər, -ˈsplȯr- 

: an instrument for exploring cavities especially in teeth : probe sense 1