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

Look for professors who embrace contemporary ways of learning - videos, interactive elements, simulations, exploratory formats. —Ann Kirschner, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Stewart has been campaigning for months in the race against state Sen. Ryan Fazio, a fiscal conservative who recently formed an exploratory committee and whose supporters say will catch up in the fundraising battle. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2025

The Lac du Flambeau Tribe is urging public opposition to Green Light Metals' exploratory drilling project in Wisconsin's Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. —Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025

And that's before even discussing the recent rise of driverless trucking as an exploratory option for logistics companies. —Mark Pittman, Forbes.com, 31 July 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