probe

American  

[prohb] / proʊb /

verb (used with object)

probed, probing

1. to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely.

   to probe one's conscience.

   Synonyms:

   scrutinize, investigate

2. to examine or explore with or as if with an instrument.

   The dentist probed the offending tooth.

   She keeps probing her ear with a cotton swab.

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verb (used without object)

probed, probing

1. to examine or explore a matter thoroughly (sometimes followed byinto ).

   The checklist consists of a series of questions carefully designed to probe into all aspects of your business.

   The cross-examiner probed a little more before dismissing the witness.

2. to explore or search with or as if with an instrument.

   You may have to probe with the rod until you find the mouth of the pipe.

noun

1. an act or instance of probing.

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

3. a tool or instrument designed for examining something, especially a slender surgical instrument for exploring the depth or direction of a wound, sinus, or the like.

4. Aerospace. space probe.

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

probe British  

/ prəʊb /

verb

1. (tr) to search into or question closely

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

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noun

1. something that probes, examines, or tests

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

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

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

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

6. 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

7. See space probe

Other Word Forms

• probeable adjective
• prober noun
• reprobe verb
• unprobed adjective

Etymology

Origin of probe

First recorded in 1555–65; (noun) from Medieval Latin proba “examination,” Late Latin: “test,” derivative of probāre “to try, test, prove” ( see proof ( def. ), prove ( def. )); (verb) partly derivative of the noun, partly from Latin probāre

Explanation

If you probe something, you investigate it thoroughly. If you go into business with someone, you might probe her finances to make sure that she has a good track record. Although it is usually used as a verb — "the police probed the man’s disappearance" — it can also be used as a noun to describe an information-gathering device. In 1979 the United States launched the world's first space probe into outer space. It was a spacecraft rigged with cameras, which were used to photograph Jupiter and Saturn.

Example Sentences

The blowback froze Warsh’s path through the Senate until April 24, when the U.S. attorney’s office announced the probe would be halted, just in time for the Senate to confirm Warsh on schedule.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

Researchers then use a second laser pulse, called the probe pulse, to examine the plasma.

From Science Daily • May 1, 2026

Attorney Jeanine Pirro said on April 24 that the probe was closed, although she said she wouldn’t hesitate to reopen it.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Powell promised last month to remain on the Fed’s board of governors until the Trump administration’s Justice Department had concluded its probe into cost overruns for renovations to the central bank’s headquarters.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

"In case the probe can't dock with us. If something goes wrong, it'll be my job to go out and grab it."

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• check out
• delve into
• dig
• examine
• inquire
• interrogate
• penetrate
• poke
• scrutinize
• sift
• verify