Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Exploratory /ĭk-splôr'-ət-ôrˌ-ē/ · Ex·plor·a·to·ry · IPA /ɛkˈsploɹ.əˌtoɹ.i/ 01 a. Serving or intended to explore; searching; examining; explorative. 1. Serving or intended to explore; searching; examining; explorative.