exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce exploratory (audio)
Synonyms of exploratorynext
: 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.
Much of what corporate America spends on AI today funds exploratory pilots, a far cry from commercial deployments that generate measurable productivity gains. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026 State wildlife officials say some white shark encounters may involve exploratory bites as the animals investigate unfamiliar objects in the water, including kayaks. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 No efforts have ever progressed beyond the exploratory stage. — Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 The pair made an exploratory trip to Korea around this time last year to meet people in the local industry and ask what role Gold House could play. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing exploratory

Rhymes for exploratory

See All Rhymes for exploratory

Browse Nearby Words

explorative
exploratory
exploratory surgery
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Cite this Entry

“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploratory. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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

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