exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce exploratory (audio)
: of, relating to, or being exploration
exploratory surgery
exploratory drilling for oil

Examples of exploratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Trump Has Promised to Do in a Second Term Over a soft-pedaled piano, Laufey sounds tentative and exploratory at first, but as the track progresses, an assured tone of defiance kicks in along with a swelling orchestra. Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2024 Johnson is open and exploratory, with uplifting messages and a community-centric focus that touches on successful musicians, athletes, comedy, politics, self-improvement gurus, social-justice leaders and more. John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2024 In 2020, the company also proposed a portable exploratory well south of Heidorn Ranch Road and Old Sand Creek Road in unincorporated Brentwood, though that project appears to have stalled. Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024 Southern Empire Resources, a Canadian mining company known in the area as SMP Gold Corp., obtained approval from the BLM to drill 65 exploratory holes in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains south of Indian Pass Road about 30 miles northeast of Yuma in Imperial County, California. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024 As per the State of Minnesota's exploratory boring regulations, Jetstream #1 is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health who also visited site, with Jetstream #1 being in full compliance with the State's regulations. Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2024 This latest work, released Friday (Feb. 23), embarks on an exploratory journey through sound, emotion and critical opinions, featuring a diverse roster of collaborations that span genres and geographies, from SFDK in Spain to Christian Nodal in Mexico and Amal Murkus in Gaza. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2024 By early 2023, an exploratory meeting with Garapata (Dex Fernandez), Lilianna Manahan, and Doktor Karayom (Russell Trinidad) was set. Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 Today’s grand earth trine has you on an exploratory mission. USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exploratory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near exploratory

Cite this Entry

“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploratory. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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
: of, relating to, or being exploration
exploratory surgery
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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