explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplȯr-ər 

1

: one that explores

especially : a person who travels in search of geographical or scientific information

2

capitalized : a member of a coed scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America for young people ages 14 to 20 focusing on career awareness

Examples of explorer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This holiday celebrates the histories, cultures, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples and their ancestors who lived in America before European explorers arrived. —Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025

Media outlets like National Geographic and polar explorers questioned whether some of his claims were embellished (which O'Brady forcefully denied) and criticized the all-land route that included traveling on pre-existing tracks. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025

Architects and city planners, sign-makers and deep-sea explorers adapted the new light for all kinds of specialized uses. —Ernest Freeberg, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025

The explorer Ernest Shackleton is a hero of yours. —Belinda Luscombe, Time, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for explorer

• restorer
• borer
• corer
• horror
• maurer
• scorer
• storer

Kids Definition

explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplōr-ər 

-ˈsplȯr-

1

: one that explores

a vehicle called the lunar explorer

especially : a person who travels in search of new geographical or scientific information

2

capitalized : a member of the scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America for young people 14 to 20 years old

Medical Definition

explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplōr-ər, -ˈsplȯr- 

: an instrument for exploring cavities especially in teeth : probe sense 1