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

What about an Indiana Jones–like explorer, eager to race to the edge of the world to unearth a treasure or two—and vanquish some bad guys as a bonus? —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026

The seasoned explorer who built a life around what matters and learned to hold it lightly. —John Winsor, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Read on to discover where to find the patches of night sky containing four famous robotic explorers, each of which has been paired with a bonus skywatching target! —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2026

The southern Antarctic and northern Arctic were historically accessible only by explorers, who then paved the way for researchers, and were followed by rugged expedition travelers. —Jillian Dara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 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