experimental

adjective ex·per·i·men·tal \ ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl also -ˌspir- \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of experimental

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

play \ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē also -ˌspir-\ adverb

See experimental defined for English-language learners

See experimental defined for kids

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 of experimental from the Web

Yescarta, Gilead’s cancer drug was a bright spot while experimental therapies including the drugmaker’s autoimmune drug filgotinib and liver disease pipeline may make this a clinical story in the latter half of the year.

— Bloomberg.com, "Gilead Sinks Most in Over a Year After Disappointing Earnings," 2 May 2018
Furthermore, a piece of unfortunate clinical news may also be hitting Merck stock: Its collaboration with the biotech Incyte to combine Keytruda with another experimental therapy has been scuttled.

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "Why Pfizer and Merck Stock Both Slumped After Their Earnings Reports," 1 May 2018
In the case of Charlie Gard, the parents ultimately gave up their fight to take the baby to the U.S. for experimental therapy to prolong his life, saying there wasn’t a realistic chance of saving him.

— francis x. rocca, WSJ, "British Child at Center of Legal Battle Over Life Support Dies," 28 Apr. 2018
Styles range from classically based to experimental, serious to light-hearted.

— BostonGlobe.com, "The Ticket: What’s happening in the local arts world," 13 Apr. 2018
If Instagram is any indication, Bella Hadid's trip to Tokyo has been a fully immersive experience—and one marked by a wealth of playful—and experimental—beauty notes.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Bella Hadid Officially Has an Alter Ego—And She's Blonde," 9 Apr. 2018
Is Uber blameworthy even though the State of Arizona expressly invited experimental, autonomous-car testing on real roads traversed by its citizenry?

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Enough With the Trolley Problem," 30 Mar. 2018
There was a series of experimental, interactive films in the mid-1990s, and more recently, Netflix debuted interactive episodes of Puss in Book and Buddy Thunderstruck that allowed viewers to make choices for the characters.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "Fox is making an interactive film based on the Choose Your Own Adventure books," 26 Apr. 2018
Markle has worn bold, colorful, and experimental beauty looks in the past—but in the last several weeks, she's stuck to a routine of pinky-nude lipstick, fresh skin, and lashy eye makeup.

— jenna rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Vote: How Should Meghan Markle Wear Her Makeup For The Royal Wedding?," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'experimental.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of experimental

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin experīmentālis, from Latin experīmentum "testing, experience, proof" + -ālis ¹-al — more at ¹experiment

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

experimental Synonyms

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

EXPERIMENTAL Defined for English Language Learners

experimental

adjective

Definition of experimental for English Language Learners

: relating to a scientific experiment or to scientific experiments in general
: made or done in order to see how well something works
: using a new way of doing or thinking about something

EXPERIMENTAL Defined for Kids

experimental

adjective ex·per·i·men·tal \ ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl \

Definition of experimental for Students

: relating to, based on, or used for experiment

He's trying an experimental treatment for the disease.

Medical Dictionary

experimental

adjective ex·per·i·men·tal \ ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl also -ˌspir- \

medical Definition of experimental

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

play \-ᵊl-ē\ adverb

Learn More about experimental

See words that rhyme with experimental Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for experimental Spanish Central: Translation of experimental Nglish: Translation of experimental for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of experimental for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up experimental? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

experimental

Definition of experimental

experimentally

Examples of experimental in a Sentence

Recent Examples of experimental from the Web

Origin and Etymology of experimental

experimental Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Biology Terms

EXPERIMENTAL Defined for English Language Learners

experimental

Definition of experimental for English Language Learners

EXPERIMENTAL Defined for Kids

experimental

Definition of experimental for Students

Medical Dictionary

experimental

medical Definition of experimental

experimentally

Learn More about experimental

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Folksonomy': Let’s Get Organized

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word