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
That being said, Breslow confirmed that the Red Sox have explored making external additions to help the team.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
Conducted in partnership with public opinion research firm PerryUndem, the research explored the gap between dominant cultural narratives about Black women and the stories Black women say are missing, distorted, or urgently needed.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Located by the waterfront near downtown Port Angeles, Port Angeles Inn is a budget-friendly base for exploring the Olympic Peninsula.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Pair them with sneakers and a tank for daytime exploring or dress them up slightly with sandals and jewelry.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for explore
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
Conducted in partnership with public opinion research firm PerryUndem, the research explored the gap between dominant cultural narratives about Black women and the stories Black women say are missing, distorted, or urgently needed.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Located by the waterfront near downtown Port Angeles, Port Angeles Inn is a budget-friendly base for exploring the Olympic Peninsula.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Pair them with sneakers and a tank for daytime exploring or dress them up slightly with sandals and jewelry.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 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 3 Jun. 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
