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

experimentally

ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

 also  -ˌspir-

adverb

Synonyms

• developmental
• investigative
• trial
• preliminary
• pilot

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

Lilly says that no food or water restrictions are needed with the experimental oral medication, orforglipron, and it can be taken any time of day. —Amanda Sealy, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025

As the Ukraine war progresses, the U.S. government is understanding the power of rapid prototyping and experimental focus to improve and innovate on physical AI capabilities. —Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Additionally, a University of Florida study found an experimental mRNA vaccine paired with anticancer drugs boosted an anti-tumor response. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2025

Whether a fan of the semi-new experimental dish or not, guests can leave with the new T-shirt inspired by The Beak and Barrel and a Parrot Shoulder Plush Reservations for The Beak and Barrel will open on Aug. 14, while the restaurant officially is set to open on Aug. 29. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

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

Phrases Containing experimental

• pre-experimental

Rhymes for experimental

• coincidental
• developmental
• environmental
• intersegmental
• nongovernmental
• transcontinental
• unsentimental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental

Kids 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

experimentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

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

3

of a disease : intentionally produced especially in laboratory animals for the purpose of study

experimental diabetes

experimentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb