What does "probe" mean?

1. (to investigate) to ask questions or search for information to find out the truth about something. 2. (to physically explore) to touch or move something with a tool or your hands to see what is inside. 3. (an investigation) a long and careful search for the truth about something, like a crime or a problem. 4. (spacecraft) a small spacecraft without people that is sent into space to collect information. 5. (medical/technical tool) a thin tool used by doctors or scientists to look inside something or measure it.

How do you use "probe"?

In medical contexts, it often refers to a blunt-ended surgical instrument.

probe

v. · n.

US //ˈpɹoʊb// UK //pɹˈəʊb// probe

1 to investigate (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to ask questions or search for information to find out the truth about something.

to conduct a thorough investigation or to search into something closely.

Example

The reporter began to probe into the company's secret financial records.

Example

The committee was tasked to probe the allegations of corruption within the department, leaving no stone unturned in their search for evidence.
- ignore
- overlook
2 to physically explore (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to touch or move something with a tool or your hands to see what is inside.

to explore or examine a physical space or object by poking or searching with an instrument.

Example

The doctor used a small tool to probe the wound for any glass.

Example

The archaeologist carefully used a brush and a small metal pick to probe the soil around the delicate pottery fragments.

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3 an investigation (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

a long and careful search for the truth about something, like a crime or a problem.

a thorough and often official inquiry or investigation into a matter.

Example

The police launched a probe into the cause of the mysterious fire.

Example

Following the market crash, the government initiated a high-level probe to determine if any regulatory failures had occurred.
4 spacecraft (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Science

a small spacecraft without people that is sent into space to collect information.

an uncrewed exploratory spacecraft designed to transmit chemical or physical data from outer space.

Example

The space probe sent back amazing photos of the surface of Mars.

Example

The robotic probe successfully entered the planet's atmosphere, deploying sensors to measure the chemical composition of the gas clouds.
- satellite
- explorer
5 medical/technical tool (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

a thin tool used by doctors or scientists to look inside something or measure it.

a slender instrument used for exploring a cavity, wound, or for measuring physical properties at a specific point.

Example

The dentist used a metal probe to check for cavities in my teeth.

Example

The surgeon used a sterile probe to determine the depth of the incision before proceeding with the delicate operation.

Usage

In medical contexts, it often refers to a blunt-ended surgical instrument.

Origin

For verb: borrowed from Latin probare (“to test, examine, prove”), from probus (“good”). Doublet of prove. For noun: borrowed from Late Latin proba (“a proof”), from probare (“to test, examine, prove”); Doublet of proof. Compare Spanish tienta (“a surgeon's probe”), from tentar (“try, test”); see tempt.