experimental

adjective

ex·​per·​i·​men·​tal ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce experimental (audio)
also -ˌspir-
Synonyms of experimentalnext
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

Synonyms of experimental

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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.
Other companies are testing longer-acting biologics, including one experimental drug aiming for a single injection just once a year, compared with the every-two-month schedule most patients follow now. — Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 The Entertainment Development Business Unit of DeNA will begin weaving Utopai’s storytelling AI system, PAI, into its experimental animation workflows. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 The portfolio also incorporates repurposed leather, biodegradable liquid latex and experimental materials made from orange peels and coffee grounds. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026 Speeding up experimental work This assembly line setup solves a major engineering limitation in fusion research. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026 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

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of experimental was in 1526

Phrases Containing experimental

Rhymes for experimental

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Browse Nearby Words

experiment
experimental
experimental design
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Cite this Entry

“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/experimental. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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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
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce experimental (audio)
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 studied—B. F. Skinner
3
of a disease : intentionally produced especially in laboratory animals for the purpose of study
experimental diabetes
experimentally
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce experimental (audio)
adverb
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