explore

[ik-splawr, -splohr] /ɪkˈsplɔr, -ˈsploʊr/

verb (used with object), explored, exploring.

to traverse or range over (a region, area, etc.) for the purpose of discovery:

to explore the island.

to look into closely; scrutinize; examine:

Let us explore the possibilities for improvement.

Surgery. to investigate into, especially mechanically, as with a probe.

Obsolete. to search for; search out.

verb (used without object), explored, exploring.

to engage in exploration.

Origin

1575-85; < Latin explōrāre to search out, examine, equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + plōrāre to cry out, probably orig. with reference to hunting cries

Related forms

explorable, adjective

explorability, noun

exploringly, adverb

reexplore, verb, reexplored, reexploring.

unexplorable, adjective

unexplored, adjective

Synonyms

2. probe, study, research, investigate, survey.

Examples from the web for explore

Two new books explore why, and investigate the effects that misunderstanding risks can have on public policy.
Deeply moved, she was left with a desire to explore health care issues using her camera.
The good kind: those who have many interests, and who want to explore before they commit.
No one will really know until companies explore and drill.
explore our water footprint interactive and find out.
Using comic books to explore the issues and history of nuclear power.
Group exhibition of artists who explore sound as a sculptural form.
Now he plans to explore the deepest parts of the ocean as well.
For more than four decades, humans have been sending out spacecraft to explore the known planets of the solar system.
Always a little slow to adapt, higher education began this year to explore the academic uses of smartphones and tablets.

British Dictionary definitions for explore

explore

/ɪkˈsplɔː/

verb

(transitive) to examine or investigate, esp systematically

to travel to or into (unfamiliar or unknown regions), esp for organized scientific purposes

(transitive) (med) to examine (an organ or part) for diagnostic purposes

(transitive) (obsolete) to search for or out

Derived Forms

explorer, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin explōrāre, from ex-1 + plōrāre to cry aloud; probably from the shouts of hunters sighting prey

Word Origin and History for explore

1580s, "to investigate, examine," a back-formation from exploration, or else from Middle French explorer (16c.), from Latin explorare "investigate, search out, examine, explore," said to be originally a hunters' term meaning "set up a loud cry," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + plorare "to cry."

But second element also explained as "to make to flow," from pluere "to flow." Meaning "to go to a country or place in quest of discoveries" is first attested 1610s. Related: Explored; exploring.

explore in Medicine

explore (ĭk-splôr')
v. ex·plored, ex·plor·ing, ex·plores
To examine for diagnostic purposes.