1 VERB If you explore a place, you travel around it to find out what it is like. □ [V n] After exploring the old part of town there is a guided tour of the cathedral. □ [V ] We've come to this country, let's explore! ● ex|plo|ra|tion /e kspləre I ʃ ə n/ (explorations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] We devote several days to the exploration of the magnificent Maya sites of Copan.
2 VERB If you explore an idea or suggestion, you think about it or comment on it in detail, in order to assess it carefully. □ [V n] The film explores the relationship between artist and instrument. ● ex|plo|ra|tion N‑VAR □ [+ of ] I looked forward to the exploration of their theories.
3 VERB If people explore an area for a substance such as oil or minerals, they study the area and do tests on the land to see whether they can find it. □ [V + for ] Central to the operation is a mile-deep well, dug originally to explore for oil. [Also V n for n] ● ex|plo|ra|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ Oryx is a Dallas-based oil and gas exploration and production concern.
4 VERB If you explore something with your hands or fingers, you touch it to find out what it feels like. □ [V n] He explored the wound with his finger, trying to establish its extent. SYNONYMS explore VERB 2
investigate: Gas officials are investigating the cause of the explosion.
consider: The government is being asked to consider the plan.
research: She spent two years in South Florida researching and filming her documentary.
examine: The plans will be examined by E.U. ministers.
analyse: You need to analyse what is causing the stress in your life.
ex|plor|er / I ksplɔː rə r / (explorers ) N‑COUNT An explorer is someone who travels to places about which very little is known, in order to discover what is there.
ex|plo|sion ◆◇◇ / I ksploʊ ʒ ə n/ (explosions )
1 N‑COUNT An explosion is a sudden, violent burst of energy, for example one caused by a bomb. □ A second explosion came minutes later and we were enveloped in a dust cloud. □ Three people have been killed in a bomb explosion in northwest Spain.
2 N‑VAR Explosion is the act of deliberately causing a bomb or similar device to explode. □ Bomb disposal experts blew up the bag in a controlled explosion.
3 N‑COUNT An explosion is a large rapid increase in the number or amount of something. □ [+ in ] The study also forecast an explosion in the diet soft-drink market. □ The spread of the suburbs has triggered a population explosion among America's deer.
4 N‑COUNT An explosion is a sudden violent expression of someone's feelings, especially anger. □ Every time they met, Myra anticipated an explosion.
5 N‑COUNT An explosion is a sudden and serious political protest or violence. □ [+ of ] …the explosion of protest and violence sparked off by the killing of seven workers.
ex|plo|sive / I ksploʊ s I v/ (explosives )
1 N‑VAR An explosive is a substance or device that can cause an explosion. □ …one-hundred-and-fifty pounds of Semtex explosive.
2 ADJ Something that is explosive is capable of causing an explosion. □ The explosive device was timed to go off at the rush hour. ● ex|plo|sive|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ Hydrogen is explosively flammable when mixed with oxygen.
3 ADJ An explosive growth is a sudden, rapid increase in the size or quantity of something. □ The explosive growth in casinos is one of the most conspicuous signs of Westernisation. ● ex|plo|sive|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] □ These transactions grew explosively in the early 1980s.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An explosive situation is likely to have difficult, serious, or dangerous effects. □ He appeared to be treating the potentially explosive situation with some sensitivity. □ Nobody knows what explosive arguments the future of Europe will bring. ● ex|plo|sive|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ A referendum next year would coincide explosively with the election campaign.
5 ADJ If you describe someone as explosive , you mean that they tend to express sudden violent anger. □ He's inherited his father's explosive temper. ● ex|plo|sive|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] □ 'Are you mad?' David asked explosively.
6 ADJ A sudden loud noise can be described as explosive . □ He made a loud, explosive noise of disgust. □ …an explosive drumbeat. ● ex|plo|sive|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ The sound of her own chewing and swallowing were explosively loud.
expo /e skpoʊ/ (expos ) also Expo N‑COUNT [oft in names] An expo is a large event where goods, especially industrial goods, are displayed. □ …the Queensland Computer Expo.
ex|po|nent / I kspoʊ nənt/ (exponents )
1 N‑COUNT An exponent of an idea, theory, or plan is a person who supports and explains it, and who tries to persuade other people that it is a good idea. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a leading exponent of test-tube baby techniques.
2 N‑COUNT An exponent of a particular skill or activity is a person who is good at it. □ [+ of ] …a great exponent of expressionist dance.
ex|po|nen|tial /e kspəne nʃ ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Exponential means growing or increasing very rapidly. [FORMAL ] □ The policy tried to check the exponential growth of public expenditure. ● ex|po|nen|tial|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ The quantity of chemical pollutants has increased exponentially.