explore

verb

ex·​plore ik-ˈsplȯr 

explored; exploring

transitive verb

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

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

Synonyms of explore

• investigate
• examine

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

Nicole Feng, Zhang's mother, said her son has become more adept at using AI tools to explore his own interests, such as aviation. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

This finding could open a new route for exploring exotic superconducting states. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

That could mean exploring Andalusia, traveling through Morocco, visiting Tunisia's Roman sites or combining Egypt's temples and tombs with the eclipse. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026

All of those felt like metaphors for the teenage experience that could somehow be explored in magic. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin explorare, from ex- + plorare to cry out

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing explore

• re-explore

Rhymes for explore

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids 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

exploration

ˌek-splə-ˈrā-shən 

noun