experimental

[ik-sper-uh-men-tl] /ɪkˌspɛr əˈmɛn tl/
adjective
1.
pertaining to, derived from, or founded on experiment:
an experimental science.
2.
of the nature of an experiment; tentative:
The new program is still in an experimental stage.
3.
functioning as an experiment or used for experimentation:
an experimental airplane.
4.
based on or derived from experience; empirical:
experimental knowledge.
noun
5.
something that is experimental.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin experīmentālis. See experiment, -al1
Related forms
experimentally, adverb
nonexperimental, adjective
nonexperimentally, adverb
postexperimental, adjective
preexperimental, adjective
pseudoexperimental, adjective
pseudoexperimentally, adverb
quasi-experimental, adjective
quasi-experimentally, adverb
semiexperimental, adjective
semiexperimentally, adverb
unexperimental, adjective
unexperimentally, adverb
Examples from the web for experimental
  • It's still in the development stage, but several experimental vaccines tested on laboratory monkeys have proved successful.
  • Its verse is by no means of equal value, and some of it was experimental work by persons of no special poetic talent.
  • Much of its work was sound and still endures, if much was experimental and had to be undone.
  • Democracy was still experimental, doubtful, full of gun-powder.
  • No doubt it will accept the experimental proof here alleged, if and when it is repeated under conditions-Times.
  • It has also been discovered by experimental psychologists, who study the animals' thinking processes.
  • The syringe contains an experimental contraceptive drug.
  • The fact of the matter is that experimental animals are treated extremely well.
  • Before computers, this experimental section helped engineers model the effects of compression on the finished bridge's cables.
  • There's a big gap between farmers' yields and experimental yields, that is, the highest that could be achieved.
British Dictionary definitions for experimental

experimental

/ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl/
adjective
1.
relating to, based on, or having the nature of experiment: an experimental study
2.
based on or derived from experience; empirical: experimental evidence
3.
tending to experiment: an experimental artist
4.
tentative or provisional: an experimental rule in football
Derived Forms
experimentally, adverb
Word Origin and History for experimental
adj.

mid 15c., "having experience," from experiment (n.) + -al (1). Meaning "based on experience" is from 1560s. Meaning "for the sake of experiment" is from 1792 (e.g. Experimental farm).