exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory surgery

exploratory drilling for oil

Examples of exploratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His first career, right after college, was exploratory, resulting in purchasing one store in an airport. —Nancy K Schlossberg, USA Today, 3 July 2025

Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin also formed an exploratory committee to run for Kelly’s seat. —Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025

Sales support requests, field issues and manufacturing challenges will almost always displace exploratory design and prototyping. —Ryan Gray, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Weathered | 2024 | United States | Patrick Jang | Midwest Premiere | Three teenagers openly share personal stories of struggle, resilience and growth in this exploratory documentary that highlights the incredible teenage ability to weather through tumultuous inner battles. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing exploratory

• exploratory surgery

Rhymes for exploratory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

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- 

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory surgery