explored; exploring
1
a
: to investigate, study, or analyze : look into
explore the relationship between social class and learning ability
—sometimes used with indirect questionsto explore where ethical issues arise—
R. T. Blackburn
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
: to make or conduct a systematic search
explore for oil
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Rams were high on Ferguson even as one of a few scenarios explored in the first round.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
The book explores the exploitation of undocumented Angelenos by both gang overlords and local law enforcement.
—Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
As well as that, animal-lovers won't want to miss Octopus, a two-part documentary special exploring the life of a giant pacific octopus narrated by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (there's even a cameo by comedian and octopus-obsessive Tracy Morgan).
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
This was one of the key recommendations of a report, Our Phosphorus Future: Towards Global Phosphorus Sustainability, in which over 100 scientists explored this topic in great detail.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explore
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Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
The book explores the exploitation of undocumented Angelenos by both gang overlords and local law enforcement.
—Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
As well as that, animal-lovers won't want to miss Octopus, a two-part documentary special exploring the life of a giant pacific octopus narrated by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (there's even a cameo by comedian and octopus-obsessive Tracy Morgan).
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
This was one of the key recommendations of a report, Our Phosphorus Future: Towards Global Phosphorus Sustainability, in which over 100 scientists explored this topic in great detail.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explore
Cite this Entry
“Explore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explore. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
explore
verb
ex·plore
ik-ˈsplō(ə)r 
-ˈsplȯ(ə)r
explored; exploring
1
a
: to search through : look into
exploring new ideas
b
: to go into or travel over for purposes of discovery or adventure
explore a cave
explore the moon
c
: to examine carefully and in detail especially in order to make a diagnosis
explore a wound
2
: to make a careful search
explore for oil
Medical Definition
explore
transitive verb
ex·plore
ik-ˈsplō(ə)r, -ˈsplȯ(ə)r
explored; exploring
: to examine (as by surgery) especially for diagnostic purposes
the abdomen may need to be explored surgically—Donald Caslow
Donald CaslowLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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