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

Explorer : 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

Portugal’s legendary explorer Ferdinand Magellan gets an epic biopic courtesy of Filipino filmmaker and societal historian Lav Diaz. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026

Gaskins followed in the footsteps of Cameron and Cayden Boozer, the former Explorers turned freshmen standouts at Duke University, to be chosen to take part in the prestigious event, which will be held in Glendale, Arizona, on March 31 at 9 at the Desert Diamond Arena. —Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026

The personal, intimate look invited explorers to travel back in time and imagine what once was. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026

Some viewed the discovery as a divine gift, while a local priest chastised the explorers for unearthing Satan, saying the blowout was God’s punishment. —The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026

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