exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory surgery

exploratory drilling for oil

Examples of exploratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When making any tough decision, the key is not to be overly exploratory or exploitative. —Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025

Wiener, 55, has already laid some of the groundwork for a run, raising $1 million through an exploratory committee. —Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 18 Oct. 2025

Adjacent to Vanderbilt isn’t the only place the company is conducting exploratory boring in Nashville. —Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Oct. 2025

Christmas Eve 1776 found Temple at Versailles, the ideal messenger for a sensitive, exploratory overture to the French minister of foreign affairs. —Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing exploratory

• exploratory surgery

Rhymes for exploratory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

Kids Definition

exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​a·​to·​ry

ik-ˈsplōr-ə-ˌtōr-ē,

-ˌtȯr-

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory drilling for oil

an exploratory trip

exploratory surgery

Medical Definition

exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplōr-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˈsplȯr-, -ˌtȯr- 

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory surgery