1 explore | Definition of explore
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

explore

verb
ex·​plore | \ ik-ˈsplȯr How to pronounce explore (audio) \
explored; exploring

Definition of explore

transitive verb

1a : to investigate, study, or analyze : look into 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
Other Words from explore Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about explore

Keep scrolling for more

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.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Team Aquarius has collected a lot of material from the bottom of Lake Michigan and is continuing to explore whether anything is a remnant of that meteorite. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "When a meteorite plunged into Lake Michigan, a team of scientists built a sled with magnets to find it," 4 Sep. 2019 Today, the family is divided on whether to explore the cemetery’s secrets. — USA Today, "The founding family you’ve never heard of: The black Tuckers of Hampton, Virginia," 22 Aug. 2019 The exhibition explores complex plights related to social, economic, and environmental justice. — Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "At Brandeis, three women artists rise above devastating forces worldwide," 21 Aug. 2019 But quantum mechanics allows qubits to exist in a coherent state of superposition, which is what the researchers wanted to explore. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Build Schrödinger's Cat on a Quantum Level," 21 Aug. 2019 Seventeen of these studies met our study criteria to explore the effects of a warm bath or shower on sleep. — Shahab Haghayegh, Quartzy, "The science of why a warm bath before bed helps you sleep," 14 Aug. 2019 Seventeen of these studies met our study criteria to explore the effects of warm bath or shower on sleep. — Shahab Haghayegh, The Conversation, "Want better sleep? Try a warm bath or shower 1-2 hours before bedtime, study suggests," 13 Aug. 2019 The Medina County Historical Society explores the role of prominent women in Medina County. — Sam Boyer, cleveland.com, "Young women take first steps to state, national titles: Whit & Whimsey," 23 Aug. 2019 More: Showtime's new Motown documentary is a tribute to musical magic — and Detroit More: David Maraniss book explores the 1950s Red Scare that forced his family to leave Detroit CNN was looking to air the Detroit project before the end of 2018. — Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, "Anthony Bourdain left behind a documentary series about Detroit. But will it be seen?," 23 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'explore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of explore

1531, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for explore

Latin explorare, from ex- + plorare to cry out

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for explore

explore

verb
How to pronounce explore (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of explore

: to look at (something) in a careful way to learn more about it : to study or analyze (something)
: to talk or think about (something) in a thoughtful and detailed way
: to learn about (something) by trying it

See the full definition for explore in the English Language Learners Dictionary

explore

verb
ex·​plore | \ ik-ˈsplȯr How to pronounce explore (audio) \
explored; exploring

Kids Definition of explore

1 : to search through or into : study closely Doctors explored the spread of the disease.
2 : to go into or through for purposes of discovery or adventure explore a cave

Other Words from explore

explorer \ ik-​ˈsplȯr-​ər \ noun

explore

transitive verb
ex·​plore | \ ik-ˈsplō(ə)r, -ˈsplȯ(ə)r How to pronounce explore (audio) \
explored; exploring

Medical Definition of explore

: to examine (as by surgery) especially for diagnostic purposes the abdomen may need to be explored surgically— Donald Caslow

Other Words from explore

exploration \ ˌek-​splə-​ˈrā-​shən How to pronounce exploration (audio) \ noun

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on explore

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with explore

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for explore

Spanish Central: Translation of explore

Nglish:

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!