exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce exploratory (audio)
: of, relating to, or being exploration
exploratory surgery
exploratory drilling for oil

Examples of exploratory in a Sentence

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.
Sure, an occasional exploratory squeeze, but never a prolonged gallop. Iain MacAuley, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 Emily Chancellor, an Austin Water public information officer, said the city of Austin is working with Bastrop County stakeholders, including the city of Bastrop, to finalize a binding agreement that will allow Austin to begin exploratory drilling and field testing for the ASR project. Aaron Sullivan, Austin American Statesman, 10 July 2025 The piece is sweeping and exploratory, but with a persistent mathematical undercurrent—qualities that should maybe be oxymoronic working in tandem. Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 20 June 2025 In the meantime, both institutions are in the exploratory stages of figuring out how a merger would work. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for exploratory

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exploratory was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploratory. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

exploratory

adjective
ex·​plor·​a·​to·​ry
ik-ˈsplōr-ə-ˌtōr-ē,
-ˌtȯr-
: of, relating to, or being exploration
exploratory drilling for oil
an exploratory trip
exploratory surgery

Medical Definition

exploratory

adjective
: of, relating to, or being exploration
exploratory surgery

More from Merriam-Webster on exploratory

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