exploration

American  

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

noun

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

2. the investigation of unknown regions.

---

exploration British  

/ ˌɛkspləˈreɪʃən, ɪkˈsplɒrətərɪ, -trɪ /

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

---

Other Word Forms

• exploratory adjective
• reexploration noun

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”; explore ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

A nation’s exclusive economic zone typically extends as much as 230 miles from its coastline and under maritime law gives that nation exclusive rights over fishing, oil and gas exploration, and other resources.

From The Wall Street Journal

Last summer, KoBold Metals, a US start-up using artificial intelligence to discover mineral deposits, especially lithium, signed a large-scale exploration agreement with the DRC.

From Barron's

"After many years of declining investment in exploration, we are dedicating funds towards geological mapping and exploration to harness our critical mineral reserves," Ramaphosa said in his annual state of the nation address.

From Barron's

The miner on Wednesday also announced that it has signed agreements on two exploration projects in British Columbia—but the cost of those deals was less than A$10 million combined, Conway said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet he also effectively ended any debate about humans vs. robots, pointing to human-led exploration for reasons of national prestige, geopolitics and law.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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