experimental
adjective
ex·per·i·men·tal
ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
also -ˌspir-
1
: of, relating to, or based on experience or experiment
2
a
: serving the ends of or used as a means of experimentation
an experimental school
b
: relating to or having the characteristics of experiment : tentative
still in the experimental stage
Examples of experimental in a Sentence
The fuel is being used on an experimental basis.
an experimental procedure for patients suffering from leukemia
Recent Examples on the Web
However, recent technology advances have changed lasers from experimental tools into effective frontline capabilities.
—
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
Amos Poe, the groundbreaking experimental filmmaker who documented the birth of punk rock in New York, has died.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Dec. 2025
In 2025, fashion’s engagement with AI moved from an experimental phase to an operational necessity.
—Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Once hotly debated as an experimental, costly pitch to restore the vulnerable eastern span in the wake of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the rebuilt Bay Bridge now has more than a decade under its belt serving one of the Bay Area’s most vital transportation arteries.
—Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for experimental
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.
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
Amos Poe, the groundbreaking experimental filmmaker who documented the birth of punk rock in New York, has died.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Dec. 2025
In 2025, fashion’s engagement with AI moved from an experimental phase to an operational necessity.
—Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Once hotly debated as an experimental, costly pitch to restore the vulnerable eastern span in the wake of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the rebuilt Bay Bridge now has more than a decade under its belt serving one of the Bay Area’s most vital transportation arteries.
—Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for experimental
Cite this Entry
“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/experimental. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
experimental
adjective
ex·per·i·men·tal
ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl
1
a
: of, relating to, or based on experience or experiment
experimental evidence
b
: subjected to the condition that is different from normal for a factor being tested in an experiment
the experimental group
2
: relating to or having the characteristics of experiment : tentative sense 1
still in the experimental stage
Medical Definition
experimental
adjective
ex·per·i·men·tal
ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl also -ˌspir-
1
: of, relating to, or based on experience or experiment
2
: founded on or derived from experiment
the heart of the experimental method is the direct control of the thing studied—B. F. Skinner
B. F. Skinner3
of a disease
: intentionally produced especially in laboratory animals for the purpose of study
experimental diabetes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share