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

Meanwhile, health-insurance plans may not approve experimental treatments, prescription medications used to treat conditions not listed on the label or services that don’t meet the insurer’s requirements for being medically necessary.

Read more on MarketWatch

A Buffalo Chicken pizza with housemade hot sauce, breaded chicken, mozzarella and ricotta is as experimental as he gets.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The laws have drawn the ire of some medical professionals, who fear that hopeful patients will try experimental drugs only to find them ineffective at best and harmful at worst.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• empirical 
• preliminary 
• unproved