explorer

American  

[ik-splawr-er] / ɪkˈsplɔr ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that explores.

2. a person who investigates unknown regions.

   the great explorers of the Renaissance.

3. any instrument used in exploring or sounding a wound, a cavity in a tooth, or the like.

4. Also called Explorer Scout.  (initial capital letter) a person between the ages 14 and 20 who is an active participant in the exploring program sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America.

5. (initial capital letter) one of a long series of U.S. scientific satellites: Explorer 1 (1958) was the first U.S. artificial satellite.

---

Explorer ¹ British  

/ ɪkˈsplɔːrə /

noun

1. Brit equivalent: Venture Scout.  a member of the senior branch of the Scouts

---

Explorer ² British  

/ ɪkˈsplɔːrə /

noun

1. any of the first series of US satellites. Explorer 1 , launched in 1958, confirmed the existence of intense radiation belts around the earth

---

Etymology

Origin of explorer

First recorded in 1675–85; explore + -er ¹

Example Sentences

A solo explorer can only fight his circumstances, not his co-pilot.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

"Most people have this image of an intrepid explorer braving an isolated mountain or some other remote place, and stumbling across a creature that no one has ever seen before," Chan said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

Work is under way on a South Atlantic island to preserve a key building in the story of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

Named after English explorer James Cook, who visited in the 1770s, the Cooks include 15 islands across an area roughly the size of Saudi Arabia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

“Very well, my arrogant young adventurer. Why not test your courage? Every explorer deserves a chance to prove his mettle.”

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull