explored; exploring
1
a
: to investigate, study, or analyze : look into
Researchers are exploring how language is acquired by children.
explore the relationship between social class and learning ability
—sometimes used with indirect questions… to explore where ethical issues arise …—
R. T. Blackburn
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
: to make or conduct a systematic search
explore for oil
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 on the Web
Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder (2003) used the serial killer genre to explore the country’s transition from military dictatorship to democracy.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Having explored the Mariana Trench, the summit of Everest, and the edge of space, Victor Vescovo knows what awe feels like in its most dramatic forms.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Looking ahead, the team plans to explore more complex time crystals using IBM’s Quantum Nighthark chips, which offer greater qubit connectivity.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
This is Amused Bouche, SAVEUR’s food questionnaire that explores the culinary curiosities of some of our favorite people.
—Alyse Whitney, Saveur, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explore
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Having explored the Mariana Trench, the summit of Everest, and the edge of space, Victor Vescovo knows what awe feels like in its most dramatic forms.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Looking ahead, the team plans to explore more complex time crystals using IBM’s Quantum Nighthark chips, which offer greater qubit connectivity.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
This is Amused Bouche, SAVEUR’s food questionnaire that explores the culinary curiosities of some of our favorite people.
—Alyse Whitney, Saveur, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explore
Cite this Entry
“Explore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explore. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
explore
verb
ex·plore
ik-ˈsplō(ə)r 
-ˈsplȯ(ə)r
explored; exploring
1
a
: to search through : look into
exploring new ideas
b
: to go into or travel over for purposes of discovery or adventure
explore a cave
explore the moon
c
: to examine carefully and in detail especially in order to make a diagnosis
explore a wound
2
: to make a careful search
explore for oil
Medical Definition
explore
transitive verb
ex·plore
ik-ˈsplō(ə)r, -ˈsplȯ(ə)r
explored; exploring
: to examine (as by surgery) especially for diagnostic purposes
the abdomen may need to be explored surgically—Donald Caslow
Donald CaslowLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
