probe
to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely: to probe one's conscience.
to examine or explore with or as if with an instrument: The dentist probed the offending tooth.She keeps probing her ear with a cotton swab.
to examine or explore a matter thoroughly (sometimes followed by into): The checklist consists of a series of questions carefully designed to probe into all aspects of your business.The cross-examiner probed a little more before dismissing the witness.
to explore or search with or as if with an instrument: You may have to probe with the rod until you find the mouth of the pipe.
an act or instance of probing.
an investigation, especially by a legislative committee, of suspected illegal activity.
a tool or instrument designed for examining something, especially a slender surgical instrument for exploring the depth or direction of a wound, sinus, or the like.
Aerospace. space probe.
a projecting, pipelike device on a receiving aircraft used to make connection with and receive fuel from a tanker aircraft during refueling in flight.
a device, attached by cord to an oven, that can be inserted into roasts or other food so that the oven shuts off when the desired internal temperature of the food is reached.
Biology. any identifiable substance that is used to detect, isolate, or identify another substance, as a labeled strand of DNA that hybridizes with its complementary RNA or a monoclonal antibody that combines with a specific protein.
Origin of probe
1Other words for probe
Other words from probe
- probe·a·ble, adjective
- prob·er, noun
- re·probe, verb, re·probed, re·prob·ing.
- un·probed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use probe in a sentence
Would those short, wide, duck-like beaks ever become the needle-shaped probers of flowers?
Upon The Tree-Tops | Olive Thorne Miller
British Dictionary definitions for probe
/ (prəʊb) /
(tr) to search into or question closely
to examine (something) with or as if with a probe
something that probes, examines, or tests
surgery a slender and usually flexible instrument for exploring a wound, sinus, etc
a thorough inquiry, such as one by a newspaper into corrupt practices
electronics a lead connecting to or containing a measuring or monitoring circuit used for testing
electronics a conductor inserted into a waveguide or cavity resonator to provide coupling to an external circuit
any of various devices that provide a coupling link, esp a flexible tube extended from an aircraft to link it with another so that it can refuel
See space probe
Origin of probe
1Derived forms of probe
- probeable, adjective
- prober, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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