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
Jamaican fibre artist Katrina Coombs engages with natural fibers to explore women’s relationships to their bodies, specifically their wombs, and their experiences within and beyond the role of motherhood.
—Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
The idea of using this movement as a background to explore these themes, using the language of a musical film started to take shape.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Research exploring this topic generally focuses on younger adolescents, who are less likely to be allowed to try alcohol by their parents, but this practice becomes more common as adolescents get older.
—Bernard Pereda, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
Review Biden’s diminished capacities and cover-up explored in painful, if necessary, book
May 17, 2025
Negative reaction to Biden’s alarmingly disastrous performance led him to abandon his campaign three weeks later and Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place on the 2024 Democratic ticket.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explore
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Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
The idea of using this movement as a background to explore these themes, using the language of a musical film started to take shape.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Research exploring this topic generally focuses on younger adolescents, who are less likely to be allowed to try alcohol by their parents, but this practice becomes more common as adolescents get older.
—Bernard Pereda, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
Review Biden’s diminished capacities and cover-up explored in painful, if necessary, book
May 17, 2025
Negative reaction to Biden’s alarmingly disastrous performance led him to abandon his campaign three weeks later and Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place on the 2024 Democratic ticket.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 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 23 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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