experimental

[ik-sper-uh-men-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

1. something that is 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

Other Word 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of experimental¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word experīmentālis. See experiment, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Accordingly, the fund was designed to spend itself down to zero by gambling on new ideas and experimental projects.

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Dr Chris Shepherd, an expert in ballistic wounds who has been running tests in an experimental ballistics facility at the University of Kent, said catapults could be lethal.

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But she’d caution her client that it was experimental, and the animal could die from the drug.

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It notes that any decision to do so "would be experimental".

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Its output in that respect is monumental, and the group has produced almost as many experimental sketches as regular album tracks.

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Related Words

• empirical 
• preliminary 
• unproved