EXPLORATORY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does exploratory mean? 

• EXPLORATORY (adjective)
  The adjective EXPLORATORY has 1 sense:

1. serving in or intended for exploration or discovery

  Familiarity information: EXPLORATORY used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXPLORATORY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Serving in or intended for exploration or discovery

Synonyms:

explorative; exploratory

Context example:

exploratory talks between diplomats

Similar:

alpha (early testing stage of a software or hardware product)

beta (preliminary or testing stage of a software or hardware product)

preliminary (denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important)

searching (exploring thoroughly)

wildcat ((of a mine or oil well) drilled speculatively in an area not known to be productive)

Antonym:

nonexploratory (not exploratory)

Derivation:

explore (examine (organs) for diagnostic purposes)

explore (examine minutely)

explore (inquire into)

explore (travel to or penetrate into)

 Context examples 

The R33 award is to provide a second phase for the support for innovative exploratory and development research activities initiated under the R21 mechanism.

(Exploratory/Developmental Grants Phase II, NCI Thesaurus)

The study team regards this study as preliminary and exploratory.

(Researchers identify genetic links to educational attainment, NIH)

Exploratory measures that will be used to evaluate the intervention(s) or, for observational studies, that are exploratory of the study.

(Exploratory Outcome Measure, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Exploratory measures that are used to evaluate and/or form hypotheses about the intervention outcome(s).

(Exploratory Outcome Measure, NCI Thesaurus)

The Diagnostic Imaging Program (DIP), of the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) solicits exploratory/developmental (R21) grants that articulate highly innovative research concepts in diagnostic cancer imaging to provide investigators with the initial resources required to accomplish feasibility and pilot testing of innovative ideas.

(Exploratory/Developmental Grant for Diagnostic Cancer Imaging, NCI Thesaurus)