Dictionary
experimental
adjective ex·per·i·men·tal \ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-təl also -ˌspir-\
: relating to a scientific experiment or to scientific experiments in general
: made or done in order to see how well something works
: using a new way of doing or thinking about something
Full Definition of EXPERIMENTAL
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>
— ex·per·i·men·tal·ly \-təl-ē\ adverb
See experimental defined for English-language learners
See experimental defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of EXPERIMENTAL
15th century
Related to EXPERIMENTAL
- Synonyms
- developmental, pilot, trial
- Antonyms
- nonempirical, theoretical (also theoretic), unempirical
Other Biology Terms
Rhymes with EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTALLY Defined for Kids
experimental
adjective ex·per·i·men·tal \ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-təl\
Definition of EXPERIMENTAL for Kids
: relating to, based on, or used for experiment <He's trying an experimental treatment for the disease.>
Medical Dictionary
experimental
adjective ex·per·i·men·tal \ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈment-əl also -ˌspir-\
Medical Definition of EXPERIMENTAL
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>
—ex·per·i·men·tal·ly \-əl-ē\ adverb
Learn More About EXPERIMENTAL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: experimental designPrevious Word in the Dictionary: experiment All Words Near: experimental
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up experimental? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).