experimental

adjective

ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce experimental (audio)
 also  -ˌspir-
1
: of, relating to, or based on experience or experiment
2
a
: serving the ends of or used as a means of experimentation
an experimental school
b
: relating to or having the characteristics of experiment : tentative
still in the experimental stage
experimentally
ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce experimental (audio)
 also  -ˌspir-
adverb

Examples of experimental in a Sentence

The fuel is being used on an experimental basis. an experimental procedure for patients suffering from leukemia
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.
Taara is the latest project to spring from X—Alphabet’s experimental hub that produced AI lab Google Brain and Waymo’s self-driving cars—and has its origins in a concept called Loon. Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025 Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who piloted Boeing's experimental Starliner spacecraft in June 2024, were supposed to be away from Earth for about eight days. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 Boeing's experimental Starliner spacecraft launched on June 5 with Williams and Wilmore on board. Joe Hernandez, NPR, 16 Mar. 2025 Last year, the NHC started issuing an experimental cone map that included inland hazards, such as hurricane warnings well up into Georgia for Hurricane Helene. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for experimental

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin experīmentālis, from Latin experīmentum "testing, experience, proof" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at experiment entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of experimental was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/experimental. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

experimental

adjective
ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce experimental (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or based on experience or experiment
experimental evidence
b
: subjected to the condition that is different from normal for a factor being tested in an experiment
the experimental group
2
: relating to or having the characteristics of experiment : tentative sense 1
still in the experimental stage
experimentally adverb

Medical Definition

experimental

adjective
ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-ᵊl also -ˌspir- How to pronounce experimental (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or based on experience or experiment
2
: founded on or derived from experiment
the heart of the experimental method is the direct control of the thing studiedB. F. Skinner
3
of a disease : intentionally produced especially in laboratory animals for the purpose of study
experimental diabetes
experimentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on experimental

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