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
Launched in May 2025, Jan Janz represents a new chapter for the hotel with an experimental fusion cuisine of Asian flavors spearheaded by their Filipino head chef.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
Leaders now want to determine how autonomous logistics platforms support routine operations, not just experimental trials.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
Last year, LaBeouf was also the subject of Lewis O’Neil’s documentary, Slauson Rec, about an experimental theater troupe the actor founded and led in 2018.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans opens his 10th Los Angeles exhibition at Regen Projects, showcasing work spanning fine art, portraiture and experimental abstractions.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for experimental
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
Leaders now want to determine how autonomous logistics platforms support routine operations, not just experimental trials.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
Last year, LaBeouf was also the subject of Lewis O’Neil’s documentary, Slauson Rec, about an experimental theater troupe the actor founded and led in 2018.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans opens his 10th Los Angeles exhibition at Regen Projects, showcasing work spanning fine art, portraiture and experimental abstractions.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for experimental
Cite this Entry
“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/experimental. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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
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