exploration

noun

ex·​plo·​ra·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce exploration (audio)
-ˌsplȯ-
: the act or an instance of exploring
explorational adjective

Examples of exploration in a Sentence

a topic for scholarly exploration the early exploration of the West early explorations of the West
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From France, Chichin’s work is an exploration of urban parks that create natural refuges in the heart of cities, reframing them as spaces of resistance and wonder. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 11 July 2025 The ship’s missions require the crew to work together to overcome challenges such as combat, puzzle-solving, diplomacy, and exploration. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025 Many of these departing employees are directly involved in NASA's core mission areas like science, human spaceflight, and deep space exploration. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 But Oppenheimer is a talky period piece, an exploration of a man and his mind, with only a flash-forward warning about doomsday tacked on to the ending. Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for exploration

Word History

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exploration was in 1537

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exploration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploration. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

exploration

noun
ex·​plo·​ra·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce exploration (audio)
: the act or an instance of exploring

More from Merriam-Webster on exploration

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