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

Derived Forms

• exˌperiˈmentally, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·peri·mental·ly adverb
• nonex·peri·mental adjective
• nonex·peri·mental·ly adverb
• postex·peri·mental adjective
• preex·peri·mental adjective
• pseudo·ex·peri·mental adjective
• pseudo·ex·peri·mental·ly adverb
• quasi-ex·peri·mental adjective
• quasi-ex·peri·mental·ly adverb
• semi·ex·peri·mental adjective
• semi·ex·peri·mental·ly adverb
• unex·peri·mental adjective
• unex·peri·mental·ly 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

Einstein was doubted for two decades, and cosmologists are still searching for experimental proofs of relativity.

From Nautilus

Instead, Utah and Washington both had different counties adopt the system at different times, providing a shifting set of experimental and control conditions.

From Ars Technica

The team searched for experimental issues that could explain the result, but came up empty.

From Science News

The country has offered experimental vaccines to officials at state enterprises in China.

From MIT Technology Review

If evolution was a scientist, then centenarians, and the rest of us, are two experimental groups in action.

From Singularity Hub 

The course Jackson taught at VMI, “Natural and Experimental Philosophy,” was brutally difficult.

From The Daily Beast

I made experimental commercials in the experimental division of a production house, Film X, that made commercials for ad agencies.

From The Daily Beast

All the Virgin Galactic test flying was done under a special experimental permit issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

From The Daily Beast

“Rather than the finalized models, we display the experimental work-in-progress ones,” Migarou says.

From The Daily Beast

But owing to another experimental vaccine he received, its impossible to say whether the blood is what saved him.

From The Daily Beast

Several Americans, we are informed, have gallantly offered themselves for experimental purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

Neither I nor my companion would have had the courage to have gone in her on her experimental trip.

From Project Gutenberg

The work of this department is experimental and investigative, with a view to the improvement of agriculture in all its branches.

From Project Gutenberg

He was the advocate of experimental rather than theoretical systems of medicine, and early adopted the practice of inoculation.

From Project Gutenberg

He appeared as cool and steady as if he were commanding on an experimental test instead of making his first rescue in the air.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• empirical
• preliminary
• unproved