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

Illinois passed a first-in-the-nation law addressing this issue in 2024, and both red and blue states are exploring similar solutions. —Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026

Their complicated love story is explored in the six-part miniseries George & Tammy, starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain. —Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Costa Blanca is stunning from dry land, but exploring by water offers an opportunity to see the coastline from a new perspective. —Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026

As a younger man, Bowie had explored the end with unusual wisdom, albeit from the safe remove of a fictional proxy. —Armin Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 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