exploration
/ˌekspləˈreɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌekspləˈreɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌek-splə-ˈrā-shən -ˌsplȯ-/ (ame, mw)
exploration — noun
- explorationsingular
- explorationsplural
1. visiting an area you have not seen before and discovering what is there
visiting an area you have not seen before and discovering what is there
Aarav's exploration of the old town revealed a courtyard that few tourists had seen.
exploration of [place] — travel discovery
The exploration of Mars has changed how scientists think about life beyond Earth.
Maja spent her summer on an exploration of the coastline by kayak.
The team's exploration of the jungle took three weeks and required special supplies.
- expedition
emphasises the organised journey itself rather than the act of discovering; 'an expedition to the South Pole'
- discovery
focuses on the result of finding something new, not the process
文法句型
exploration of [place]
用法筆記
This sense is the most common and appears in many fixed phrases such as 'space exploration' and 'Arctic exploration'. The object of exploration follows 'of', not 'to'.
常見錯誤
2. searching through a place for things that are worth money, such as oil, gold, or
searching through a place for things that are worth money, such as oil, gold, or old cultural objects
The government granted a licence for oil exploration in the northern part of the country.
exploration for [resource] — natural resource search
Gabriel's team used special equipment during their exploration for copper deep inside the mountain.
Lucía's work involves the exploration of ancient shipwrecks for gold and silver coins.
The company paused its exploration for diamonds after finding no results in the first year.
- prospecting
narrower in meaning, refers specifically to searching for mineral or metal deposits
- surveying
involves measuring and mapping rather than actively searching for valuables
文法句型
exploration for [resource]
exploration of [area]
用法筆記
When the target of the search is stated, use 'exploration for' (e.g. exploration for gold). When stating the location, use 'exploration of' (e.g. exploration of the region).
常見錯誤
3. the act of examining a subject, topic, or question thoroughly in order to unders
the act of examining a subject, topic, or question thoroughly in order to understand it more fully; can also refer to a book, film, or article that does this
The book offers a thoughtful exploration of how technology changes the way people form friendships.
a [adjective] exploration of [topic] — intellectual investigation
Soraya's lecture was an exploration of traditional healing practices used in rural communities.
The documentary is an exploration of how climate change affects farming communities in Southeast Asia.
Imran's latest article is a critical exploration of the education system in his home country.
- examination
more formal and suggests a structured, often step-by-step analysis
- investigation
carries a stronger connotation of searching for specific answers or uncovering hidden facts
- analysis
focuses on breaking something into parts to understand it, often using data or evidence
文法句型
a [adjective] exploration of [topic]
exploration of [subject]
用法筆記
Common with adjectives that describe the depth or style of the examination, e.g. 'a detailed exploration', 'a critical exploration', 'a systematic exploration'. Often used in academic or journalistic contexts.