exploration

noun

ex·​plo·​ra·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈrā-shən 

-ˌsplȯ-

: the act or an instance of exploring

explorational

ˌek-splə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-ˌsplȯ-

adjective

Synonyms of exploration

• investigation
• inquiry
• examination
• study
• probing
• research
• probe

Examples of exploration in a Sentence

a topic for scholarly exploration

the early exploration of the West

early explorations of the West

Recent Examples on the Web

Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen were the first humans to fly to the moon since Apollo 17 closed out NASA's first exploration era in 1972. —Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026

From the pages of Jules Verne to a modern-day mission to the moon, a new chapter of the exploration of our celestial neighbor is complete. —ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026

Ancestry exploration often becomes important to people in their 50s, according to Asilis. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026

An imposing ship built to wage war docked in San Diego on Saturday morning in the name of peace and human exploration, delivering the capsule that Artemis II astronauts rode to a flawless landing a day earlier. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing exploration

• re-exploration
• self-exploration

Rhymes for exploration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

exploration

noun

ex·​plo·​ra·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈrā-shən 

: the act or an instance of exploring