explorer

noun

ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplȯr-ər How to pronounce explorer (audio)
Synonyms of explorernext
1
: one that explores
especially : a person who travels in search of geographical or scientific information
2
Explorer : a member of a coed scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America for young people ages 14 to 20 focusing on career awareness

Examples of explorer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Well, technically Scott McMahan is the vice president of horticulture and collections at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, but being a plant explorer comes with the job. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The same year, Dean & Dean architect Earl Barnett designed a mural depicting Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s search for gold on the west wall of the auditorium. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The backstory The hotel is named after Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá, who, along with Franciscan missionary Father Junípero Serra, incorporated the city of Monterey in 1770. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026 In 2014, the explorer began a slow ascent of Mount Sharp, a three-mile-tall formation in the middle of Gale crater. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for explorer

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of explorer was in 1577

Rhymes for explorer

See All Rhymes for explorer

Browse Nearby Words

explore
explorer
explorer tent
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Cite this Entry

“Explorer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explorer. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

explorer

noun
ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplōr-ər How to pronounce explorer (audio)
-ˈsplȯr-
1
: one that explores
a vehicle called the lunar explorer
especially : a person who travels in search of new geographical or scientific information
2
capitalized : a member of the scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America for young people 14 to 20 years old

Medical Definition

explorer

noun
ex·​plor·​er ik-ˈsplōr-ər, -ˈsplȯr- How to pronounce explorer (audio)
: an instrument for exploring cavities especially in teeth : probe sense 1
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