explore

verb ex·plore \ ik-ˈsplȯr \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: explore in a Sentence

Definition of explore

explored; exploring

transitive verb

1 a : to investigate, study, or analyze : look into

explore the relationship between social class and learning ability

—sometimes used with indirect questions

to explore where ethical issues arise
—R. T. Blackburn

b : to become familiar with by testing or experimenting

explore new cuisines

2 : to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery

3 : to examine especially for diagnostic purposes

explore the wound

intransitive verb

: to make or conduct a systematic search

explore for oil

See explore defined for English-language learners

See explore defined for kids

Examples of explore in a Sentence

Researchers are exploring how language is acquired by children.
The book explores a number of controversial issues.
You need to explore your feelings on this subject more carefully.
an opportunity to explore different activities
The children were encouraged to explore mathematics.
I decided to go out and explore the town.
They were sent to explore unknown regions of Africa.

Recent Examples of explore from the Web

Married Women is a column that explores how women are redefining the rules of matrimony.

— arielle greenberg, The Cut, "My Boyfriend, My Husband, and Me," 14 June 2018
Our reviewer Brittany Allen writes about two new short story collections that explore the inner lives of black Americans.

— dana snitzky, Longreads, "This Month in Books: ‘We Have Nothing to Weigh Our Hearts Against’," 13 June 2018
The event is a chance for patrons to either celebrate Father's Day or enjoy a meal before seeing LTM's current comedy, an 80-minute romp that explores the pain and the joy that comes with being in love.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Manchester Edition," 12 June 2018
That landmark project has also inspired a new presentation of African and early modern European art that explores cultural exchanges from the 15th to 19th centuries.

— molly glentzer, Houston Chronicle, "Houston’s Menil Collection set to reopen in September," 12 June 2018
But interestingly, season after season, there has been an uptick in cast members and storylines that explore the lives of LGBTQ+ people all over the gender and sexuality spectrum.

— refinery29.com, "The Evolution Of LGBTQ+ Representation On This Black Reality Show," 11 June 2018
Tickets remain available for the event, which will explore lessons learned from last year’s hurricanes as well as the shooting tragedies in Parkland, Orlando and Las Vegas.

— ron hurtibise, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hospital and healthcare worker association summit to focus on disaster response," 8 June 2018
In 2013, Anthony Bourdain worked with CNN to create the TV series Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, which explores dining customs across the globe.

— kayla keegan, Good Housekeeping, "A Look Back at Anthony Bourdain's Insanely Successful Culinary Career," 8 June 2018
Trump has raged, publicly and privately, about Sessions stepping aside from the probe now led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, which is exploring whether the president’s campaign coordinated with Russia to influence the election.

— matt zapotosky, Washington Post, "‘We just need to keep pushing on’: Why Trump’s attacks won’t make Jeff Sessions quit," 5 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of explore

Latin explorare, from ex- + plorare to cry out

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1531

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

explore Synonyms

Synonyms

delve (into), dig (into), examine, inquire (into), investigate, look (into), probe, research;

Related Words

inspect, sift, study, view;

browse, cruise, peruse, scan, skim (through), surf, thumb (through);

Phrases

check into, check up on;

EXPLORE Defined for English Language Learners

explore

verb

Definition of explore for English Language Learners

: to look at (something) in a careful way to learn more about it : to study or analyze (something)
: to talk or think about (something) in a thoughtful and detailed way
: to learn about (something) by trying it