# exploration

/ˌɛkspɫɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɛksplɔːɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exploration
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. geographical discovery

noun · CEFR B2

travelling through an unfamiliar area to learn about it or find something new.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. investigating a subject

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the careful study of an idea, a subject, or a problem.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. medical examination

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a physical examination of a patient's body to find the cause of a problem.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. searching for minerals

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the work of searching for valuable materials like oil, gold, or metal in the ground.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The doctor began a physical exploration of the patient's symptoms.
- Space exploration has led to many technological breakthroughs that we use in our daily lives.
- The surgeon performed a laparoscopic exploration of the abdominal cavity to identify the source of the internal bleeding without resorting to a more invasive procedure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.