Word
exploration
Phoneticsex·plo·ration
US/ˌɛkspɫɝˈeɪʃən/
UK/ɛksplɔːɹˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01geographical discovery
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. travelling through an unfamiliar area to learn about it or find something new.
n. the act of searching or travelling through a region for the purpose of discovery, particularly in a geographical or scientific context.
“Space exploration has taught us a lot about the planets in our solar system.”
“Early polar exploration was fraught with danger, as crews often lacked the technology to survive the extreme conditions of the Arctic winter.”
Synonyms
02investigating a subject
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Academic
n. the careful study of an idea, a subject, or a problem.
n. the systematic examination or investigation of a topic, concept, or artistic theme.
“The book is an exploration of how technology changes our daily lives.”
“The documentary provides a profound exploration of the socio-economic factors that contributed to the city's industrial decline.”
Synonyms
03medical examination
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a physical examination of a patient's body to find the cause of a problem.
n. the physical or surgical examination of a patient's body or an organ to diagnose a condition.
“The doctor performed a careful exploration of the wound to check for infection.”
“The surgeon recommended a laparoscopic exploration to determine the extent of the internal damage before proceeding with the full operation.”
Synonyms
04searching for minerals
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. the work of searching for valuable materials like oil, gold, or metal in the ground.
n. the process of searching for and determining the commercial viability of mineral or fossil fuel deposits.
“The company spent millions on oil exploration in the North Sea.”
“Mineral exploration in the region has intensified as global demand for lithium and other rare earth elements continues to rise.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “exploration” in context.
Noun
01. exploration of
“The book provides a fascinating exploration of the human mind and how we make decisions.”
noun + prep
Real-World Examples
“An original, rich and gripping tale that’s also an interesting exploration of the power of faith.” “And Cosby says that will be essential as Nasa – and other space agencies around the world – begin to build a Moon base and ramp up further exploration.” “The long-forgotten fossil now holds an important place in the history of exploration in Antarctica.” “And if Nasa achieves its ambitious exploration plans - and other countries follow too - we'll all be back for more.” Etymology
From Middle French exploration, from Latin exploratio. Morphologically explore + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/exploration