explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplȯr-ər 

1

: one that explores

especially : a person who travels in search of geographical or scientific information

2

capitalized : a member of a coed scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America for young people ages 14 to 20 focusing on career awareness

Examples of explorer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto’s expedition entered the region in 1542, the Caddo's thriving communities dispersed along the Brazos, Trinity, Neches, Sabine, Red and Ouachita rivers. —Erin Clack, People.com, 20 July 2025

French explorer Samuel de Champlain named the St. John River for St. John the Baptist from the Christian Bible in 1604. —AFAR Media, 18 July 2025

Spanish explorers first brought mangoes to South America and Mexico in the 1600s, according to the National Mango Board. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2025

The company takes intrepid explorers all over the world. —Adil Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for explorer

• restorer
• borer
• corer
• horror
• maurer
• scorer
• storer

Kids Definition

explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplōr-ər 

-ˈsplȯr-

1

: one that explores

a vehicle called the lunar explorer

especially : a person who travels in search of new geographical or scientific information

2

capitalized : a member of the scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America for young people 14 to 20 years old

Medical Definition

explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplōr-ər, -ˈsplȯr- 

: an instrument for exploring cavities especially in teeth : probe sense 1