experimental

adjective

ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce experimental (audio)
 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 How to pronounce experimental (audio)
 also  -ˌspir-
adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No longer gated behind premium subscriptions or experimental rollouts, Gemini is now baked into Google Workspace for Education at no cost. Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 More than two decades after researchers first demonstrated that a person could move a computer cursor with their thoughts, several firms are poised to take the brain-computer interface (BCI) from experimental curiosity to commercial product. Jon Hamilton, NPR, 30 June 2025 The experimental Schiaparelli lander, which was to test the descent and landing system for the Rosalind Franklin rover, crashed in 2016 due to a motion sensor failure. Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 30 June 2025 Today is the Day, the distinctive noise rock/experimental metal act from Nashville, has toured with many major metal acts. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for experimental

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of experimental was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/experimental. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

experimental

adjective
ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce experimental (audio)
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 adverb

Medical Definition

experimental

adjective
ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl also -ˌspir- How to pronounce experimental (audio)
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 studiedB. F. Skinner
3
of a disease : intentionally produced especially in laboratory animals for the purpose of study
experimental diabetes
experimentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on experimental

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