EXPLORATION

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does exploration mean? 

• EXPLORATION (noun)
  The noun EXPLORATION has 3 senses:

1. to travel for the purpose of discovery

2. a careful systematic search

3. a systematic consideration

  Familiarity information: EXPLORATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXPLORATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

To travel for the purpose of discovery

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

exploration; geographic expedition

Hypernyms ("exploration" is a kind of...):

expedition (a journey organized for a particular purpose)

Derivation:

explore (travel to or penetrate into)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A careful systematic search

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("exploration" is a kind of...):

hunt; hunting; search (the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "exploration"):

probe (an exploratory action or expedition)

Derivation:

explore (examine (organs) for diagnostic purposes)

explore (examine minutely)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A systematic consideration

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

he called for a careful exploration of the consequences

Hypernyms ("exploration" is a kind of...):

consideration (the process of giving careful thought to something)

Derivation:

explore (examine minutely)

explore (inquire into)

explore (travel to or penetrate into)

 Context examples 

During its mission of exploration, Juno soars low over the planet's cloud tops — as close as about 2,100 miles (3,400 kilometers).

(NASA Juno data indicate another possible volcano on Jupiter moon Io, NASA)

They also may make frozen water more accessible than previously thought to future robotic or human exploration missions.

(Steep Slopes on Mars Reveal Structure of Buried Ice, NASA)

We were too excited to return to the camp, but must make our first exploration at once.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

NASA currently is planning to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024, laying the foundation that will eventually enable human exploration of Mars.

(NASA's InSight Detects First Likely 'Quake' on Mars, NASA)

Phobos has been considered as a possible initial base for human exploration of Mars because its weak gravity makes it easier to land spacecraft, astronauts and supplies.

(Solar Eruptions Could Electrify Martian Moons, NASA)

These observations could lay groundwork for future exoplanet exploration with Webb, including which worlds could support life.

(NASA’s Webb Telescope to Investigate Mysterious Brown Dwarfs, NASA)

During its mission of exploration, Juno will circle the Jovian world 37 times, soaring low over the planet's cloud tops — as close as about 2,600 miles (4,100 kilometers).

(Juno Spacecraft Sends First In-orbit View, NASA)

High open field exploration in females (3/12) (Harrington 1972).

(IR, Rat Strain, NCI Thesaurus)

I now felt for the first time the joy of exploration.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The exploration of glucocorticoid responses may allow the identification of compounds that retain the cardioprotective activities but do not inhibit wound healing.

(Corticosteroid Cardioprotection Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)