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
Some donors and allies have begun exploring the groundwork for a possible Rubio presidential bid after the 2026 midterm elections, according to multiple Republicans familiar with the discussions.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
The hotel also offers complimentary access to an Audi Electric Vehicle Experience—a fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron—to explore the city.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Deadline caught up with the pair on Wednesday to explore the topic more in depth and to answer this and more of fans’ burning questions.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Cosmofonia explores the inaudible sounds and voices, including infrasonic vibrations, seismic noises, codes between different species, and acoustic traces of ecological collapse and survival.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explore
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Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
The hotel also offers complimentary access to an Audi Electric Vehicle Experience—a fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron—to explore the city.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Deadline caught up with the pair on Wednesday to explore the topic more in depth and to answer this and more of fans’ burning questions.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Cosmofonia explores the inaudible sounds and voices, including infrasonic vibrations, seismic noises, codes between different species, and acoustic traces of ecological collapse and survival.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 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 25 Mar. 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
