probes; probed; probing
1
: to ask a lot of questions in order to find secret or hidden information about someone or something
His questions made it clear he was probing for information.
He didn't like the police probing into his past.
Firefighters are still probing [=looking] for the cause of the fire.
He didn't like the police probing him about his past.
2
a
: to touch or reach into (something) by using your finger, a long tool, etc., in order to see or find something
The doctor probed the wound with his finger.
Searchers probed the mud with long poles.
b
: to look into or examine (something) carefully
She probed the files for evidence that would help the investigation.
plural probes
1
: a careful examination or investigation of something
The FBI probe did not produce any new evidence.
2
: a thin, long instrument that is used especially for examining parts of the body
3
Cite this Entry
“Probe.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/probe. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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