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
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
Synonyms
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
During last year’s Winter Meetings, Brown emphatically denied that the team would explore trades for impending free agent Alex Bregman, making Monday’s acknowledgment a departure from Houston’s standard operating procedure.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
The mountain offers 105 trails and a charming mountain village to explore.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024
Since last year, a series of reviews, editorials, and perspective papers, mostly published in obesity journals, have explored this very question.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
The movie’s sharp humor and layered storytelling explore themes of faith and ambition in a way that feels both fresh and provocative.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explore 
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.
Dictionary Entries Near explore
Cite this Entry
“Explore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explore. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share