Origin: Latin suffix -ory
Exploratory has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
An exploration or investigation.
"The committee launched an exploratory mission to investigate potential new markets before committing any funds."
serving in or intended for exploration or discovery
"an exploratory operation"
"exploratory reconnaissance"
"digging an exploratory well in the Gulf of Mexico"
"exploratory talks between diplomats"
Serving to explore or investigate.
"The doctor ordered an exploratory surgery to determine the cause of the patient's sudden abdominal pain."