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exploratory

adjective
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ex·​plor·​ato·​ry | \ ik-ˈsplȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce exploratory (audio) \

Definition of exploratory

: of, relating to, or being exploration exploratory surgery exploratory drilling for oil

Examples of exploratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Los Angeles Dodgers had engaged in exploratory talks with the Red Sox in December, but those have since cooled. — Scott Boeck, USA TODAY, "Mookie Betts, Red Sox avoid arbitration with record one-year, $27 million deal," 11 Jan. 2020 Former Orlando Magic executive Pat Williams announced the exploratory Dreamers bid on Wednesday. — Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, "Steve Spurrier: Bob Stoops has no interest in FSU head coaching job | Commentary," 21 Nov. 2019 Melanie Acevedo was a teacher during the 2014-2015 school year when Taymore tapped her for an exploratory committee to research the model and its results. — Washington Post, "Schools in this Boston suburb were already high-performing. So why did the superintendent start over?," 10 Jan. 2020 Warren announced her exploratory committee to run for president in a video message posted online Dec. 31, 2018. — NBC News, "One year on the campaign trail: Elizabeth Warren looks ahead to 2020," 31 Dec. 2019 Good has filed a statement of organization for an exploratory committee for treasurer in 2020. — Kaitlin Lange, Indianapolis Star, "Prosecutor won't file criminal charges in Hamilton County treasurer's office investigation," 2 Dec. 2019 Booker launched an exploratory committee for a potential run in early November. — Phillip M. Bailey, The Courier-Journal, "Major climate change youth group wants Charles Booker for U.S. Senate," 6 Dec. 2019 Poulson said Thursday that the union wants to form an exploratory committee to figure out whether establishing a trust would be viable. — Joshua Fechter, ExpressNews.com, "City wants tighter drug testing requirements for San Antonio firefighters under new contract," 6 Dec. 2019 Kering, the owner of luxury brands including Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, has held exploratory talks to buy Italian apparel company Moncler, according to Bloomberg. — Charles Riley, CNN, "Another big luxury deal may be brewing," 5 Dec. 2019

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

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First Known Use of exploratory

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for exploratory

Time Traveler

The first known use of exploratory was in the 15th century

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Statistics for exploratory

Last Updated

10 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploratory. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for exploratory

exploratory

adjective
How to pronounce exploratory (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of exploratory

: done or created to find something or to learn more about something

See the full definition for exploratory in the English Language Learners Dictionary

exploratory

adjective
ex·​plor·​ato·​ry | \ ik-ˈsplōr-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˈsplȯr-, -ˌtȯr- How to pronounce exploratory (audio) \

Medical Definition of exploratory

: of, relating to, or being exploration exploratory surgery

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More from Merriam-Webster on exploratory

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for exploratory

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with exploratory

Spanish Central: Translation of exploratory

Nglish: Translation of exploratory for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of exploratory for Arabic Speakers

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