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

The College Football Playoff opened discussions with ESPN over a 24-team format but insists the talks are purely exploratory, in case the playoff expands. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

And that kind of thing is more exploratory — talking to people, that sort of stuff. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026

Over the next two decades, Jemison, now 43, would see a range of doctors and undergo dozens of tests and exploratory procedures. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Sep. 2026

The raccoon used her paws to repeatedly dunk the receipt into a bowl of water (a common exploratory behavior). — Isabel Gil, Scientific American, 3 Sep. 2026

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