probe

[ prohb ]

/ proʊb /

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See synonyms for: probe / probing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), probed, prob·ing.

to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely: to probe one's conscience.

to examine or explore with a probe.

verb (used without object), probed, prob·ing.

to examine or explore with or as if with a probe.

noun

the act of probing.

a slender surgical instrument for exploring the depth or direction of a wound, sinus, or the like.

an investigation, especially by a legislative committee, of suspected illegal activity.

Aerospace. space probe.

a projecting, pipelike device on a receiving aircraft used to make connection with and receive fuel from a tanker aircraft during refueling in flight.

a device, attached by cord to an oven, that can be inserted into roasts or other food so that the oven shuts off when the desired internal temperature of the food is reached.

Biology. any identifiable substance that is used to detect, isolate, or identify another substance, as a labeled strand of DNA that hybridizes with its complementary RNA or a monoclonal antibody that combines with a specific protein.

OTHER WORDS FOR probe

1 investigate, scrutinize.

See synonyms for probe on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of probe

1555–65; (noun) <Medieval Latin proba examination, Late Latin: test, derivative of probāre (see prove); (v.) partly derivative of the noun, partly <Latin probāre.See proof

OTHER WORDS FROM probe

probe·a·ble, adjectiveprober, nounre·probe, verb, re·probed, re·prob·ing.un·probed, adjective

Words nearby probe

probation, probationary assistant, probationer, probation officer, probative, probe, probenecid, probe syringe, probie, probiosis, probiotic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use probe in a sentence

There were three elements in the primers and probes, numbered one, two, and three.
“We did the worst job in the world”: Lawrence Wright on America’s botched Covid-19 response|Sean Illing|February 9, 2021|Vox
In this video, they cover how to use beacons, probes, and shovels to help you understand how to implement these tools in an emergency.
Avalanche-Gear Basics for Backcountry Skiing|Outside Editors|February 5, 2021|Outside Online
Say we found evidence of DNA on Mars—Perseverance has no way to sequence it, and as of yet there’s no way any Martian probe could be fitted with the necessary equipment to do so.
We’re living in a golden age of sample return missions|Neel Patel|February 2, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The probes emphasized Metro’s need to create, update and reinforce safety standards — something the agency has pledged after the release of a September audit that included 21 safety failures or concerns within its Rail Operations Control Center.
Metrorail system still has work to do on safety, board says|Justin George|January 27, 2021|Washington Post

Today it said it’s unpausing its multi-year probe to keep on prodding.
UK resumes privacy oversight of adtech, warns platform audits are coming|Natasha Lomas|January 22, 2021|TechCrunch
However, the probe stayed in contact with the Rosetta orbiter and has already sent back some photos.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet|Matthew R. Francis|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then finally, the probe had to be released at the right moment and on the right course to land at that spot.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet|Matthew R. Francis|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The probe appears to be sitting at the bottom of a "cliff" on the comet, but beyond that it's hard to tell.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet|Matthew R. Francis|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
UPDATE: Since publication yesterday, the Philae team learned that the probe bounced two times and apparently landed on its side.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet|Matthew R. Francis|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Earthlings, we can celebrate the accomplishment of landing a probe on a new world.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet|Matthew R. Francis|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was risky work to leave the valuable convoy for an instant, but Malcolm felt that he must probe this mystery.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
I have not been able to perceive a hole sufficient even to admit a small probe.
Buffon's Natural History. Volume IX (of 10)|Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon
One by one they examine, they compare, they probe, and all in silence.
The Diamond Coterie|Lawrence L. Lynch
For a month she subjected Mr. Matthew Weyburn to the microscope of her observation and the probe of her instinct.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete|George Meredith
The slightest probe of such a feeling toward a man so infinitely beneath him, he would have felt degrading.
There and Back|George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for probe

probe

/ (prəʊb) /

verb

(tr) to search into or question closely

to examine (something) with or as if with a probe

noun

something that probes, examines, or tests

surgery a slender and usually flexible instrument for exploring a wound, sinus, etc

a thorough inquiry, such as one by a newspaper into corrupt practices

electronics a lead connecting to or containing a measuring or monitoring circuit used for testing

electronics a conductor inserted into a waveguide or cavity resonator to provide coupling to an external circuit

any of various devices that provide a coupling link, esp a flexible tube extended from an aircraft to link it with another so that it can refuel

See space probe

Derived forms of probe

probeable, adjectiveprober, noun

Word Origin for probe

C16: from Medieval Latin proba investigation, from Latin probāre to test

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for probe

probe

[ prōb ]

A slender, flexible surgical instrument with a blunt bulbous tip, used to explore a wound or body cavity.

A substance, such as DNA, that is radioactively labeled or otherwise marked and used to detect or identify another substance in a sample.

To explore a wound or body cavity with a probe.

probe

OTHER WORDS FOR probe

Origin of probe

OTHER WORDS FROM probe

Words nearby probe

Words related to probe

How to use probe in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for probe

Derived forms of probe

Word Origin for probe

Medical definitions for probe