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.

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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

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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

Tom Morris, a retired Imagineer who worked closely with Sotto, says Sotto’s Main Street possesses “an extra layer of storytelling,” adding that Sotto gave the thoroughfare “more of an opportunity for exploration.”

From Los Angeles Times

But what begins as the sleazy and alluring tale of a man parachuting into self-destruction turns into an exploration of the transformative power of living in one’s true identity.

From Los Angeles Times

The Spanish singer's fourth album is an exhilarating - and profoundly moving - exploration of the human condition, that asks why the earthly and the holy have to be so far apart.

From BBC

Chevron plans to pour $7 billion next year into offshore projects in places such as Guyana and the eastern Mediterranean, a large increase from prior years, and is strengthening its exploration team.

From The Wall Street Journal

One comprehensive study External link by the Energy Policy Research Foundation estimates that reviving the exploration and production of Orinoco Belt’s oil fields would require billions of dollars.

From Barron's

Related Words

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