explored; exploring
1
a
: to investigate, study, or analyze : look into
Researchers are exploring how language is acquired by children.
explore the relationship between social class and learning ability
—sometimes used with indirect questions… to 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
Jones knew there would be a scene where Lestat would explore his grief over Claudia and that there needed to be a song for it.
—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2026
If travel or study calls, sketch the first steps and request time to explore them.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
5 July 2026
For the wanderers Saint-Tropez rewards the curious as much as the party crowd—and the best way to explore is entirely on your own terms.
—
Karli Poliziani,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 July 2026
The book-length poem, set at a private party, explores the decadent lifestyles associated with the movie industry in California in the 1920s.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for explore
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Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2026
If travel or study calls, sketch the first steps and request time to explore them.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
5 July 2026
For the wanderers Saint-Tropez rewards the curious as much as the party crowd—and the best way to explore is entirely on your own terms.
—
Karli Poliziani,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 July 2026
The book-length poem, set at a private party, explores the decadent lifestyles associated with the movie industry in California in the 1920s.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for explore
Cite this Entry
“Explore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explore. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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
