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

• 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

Both his African heritage and his new exploration of the verisimilitudes and vagaries of New York City life paint the ongoing development of The Watchman, sometimes featured as the key figure as in the monumental portrait, AH! —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Musk has had perhaps the largest impact of any one person on space exploration in recent years, from both a cultural and technological standpoint. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

Cave exploration had grown more popular in late-nineteenth-century Europe along with mountaineering. —Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 12 Sep. 2025

Kshatriya said that everything NASA does must directly support Artemis, Mars, or science that enables human exploration. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025

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