exploration

American  

[ek-spluh-rey-shuhn] / ˌɛk spləˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

• explorations
  plural

1. an act or instance of exploring or investigating; examination.

2. the investigation of unknown regions.

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exploration British  

/ ˌɛkspləˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of exploring

2. med examination of an organ or part for diagnostic purposes

3. an organized trip into unfamiliar regions, esp for scientific purposes; expedition

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reexploration
  noun
• exploratory
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• explorations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of exploration

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin explōrātiōn-, stem of explōrātiō “examination,” from explōrāt(us) “searched out, examined” (past participle of explōrāre “to search out, examine”; see explore) + -iō -ion

Explanation

An exploration is a trip, but it's more than just a vacation — it's going somewhere to examine and discover new things. Exploration is what you do when you want to learn more about what's out there in the big wide world. Guys like Christopher Columbus were experts in exploration. Some astronauts devote their lives to the exploration of space, looking for new planets. But you don't have to go any farther than your local library to do your own exploration — when you study or research something, you could say you're doing an exploration of it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

exploration explorations

Galliano might be an influential artist, one worthy of critical exploration in an exhibit and perhaps even forgiveness, she wrote, but to celebrate him would cross a line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

This is worth further exploration to assess the potential contribution of the glacier to future sea-level rise.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

"She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul," it added.

From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026

“Insidious” once seemed energized by its exploration of a land inhabited by the luckless dead.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

I could turn around, but then I would not complete this exploration.

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga

Users create maps, fictional diary entries, survival guides, found-footage videos and first-person explorations that collectively expand the world.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026

He described the vows as "long, entertaining, personal, charming, emotional, irreverent and endearing explorations by each" about how they met and why they wanted to be married.

From Barron's ● Jul. 4, 2026

Unlike recent explorations of pop superstardom in “The Moment,” “Smile 2” or “A Star is Born” — all fascinating depictions that focus on the varied perils of fame — Lowery aims for something more enigmatic.

From Salon ● Apr. 24, 2026

With spectacular fecundity, Bach churned out one masterpiece after another in meeting his liturgical deadlines, and they stand as one of the proudest explorations of the human imagination.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026

Lord Asriel went back to his explorations, and you grew up at Jordan College.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• analysis
• examination
• expedition
• inspection
• research
• search
• study
• travel