v.
Pronunciation: ik- ' splo ̇ r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: ex · plored ; ex · plor · ing
Etymology: Latin explorare, from ex- + plorare to cry out
Date: 1585
transitive verb
1 a : to investigate, study, or analyze : look into < explore the relationship between social class and learning ability> ― sometimes used with indirect questions <to explore where ethical issues arise ― 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>
intransitive verb : to make or conduct a systematic search < explore for oil>