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¹probe

noun \ˈprōb\

: a careful examination or investigation of something

: a thin, long instrument that is used especially for examining parts of the body

Full Definition of PROBE

: a slender medical instrument used especially for exploration (as of a wound or body cavity)

a : any of various testing devices or substances: as (1) : a pointed metal tip for making electrical contact with a circuit element being checked (2) : a usually small object that is inserted into something so as to test conditions at a given point (3) : a device used to penetrate or send back information especially from outer space or a celestial body (4) : a device (as an ultrasound generator) or a substance (as radioactively labeled DNA) used to obtain specific information for diagnostic or experimental purposes

b : a pipe on the receiving airplane thrust into the drogue of the delivering airplane in air refueling

a : the action of probing

b : a penetrating or critical investigation

c : a tentative exploratory advance or survey

See probe defined for English-language learners

See probe defined for kids

Origin of PROBE

Medieval Latin proba examination, from Latin probare

First Known Use: 1580

Related to PROBE

Synonyms: delving, disquisition, examen, examination, exploration, inquest, inquisition, investigation, probation, inquiry, probing, research, study

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

Rhymes with PROBE

daube, Dobe, globe, Job, lobe, robe, strobe

²probe

verb

: to ask a lot of questions in order to find secret or hidden information about someone or something

: to touch or reach into (something) by using your finger, a long tool, etc., in order to see or find something

: to look into or examine (something) carefully

probedprob·ing

Full Definition of PROBE

transitive verb

: to search into and explore very thoroughly : subject to a penetrating investigation

: to examine with a probe <unmanned vehicles probed space>

intransitive verb

: to make a searching exploratory investigation

— prob·er noun

See probe defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of PROBE

1649

Related to PROBE

Synonyms: delve (into), dig (into), examine, inquire (into), investigate, look (into), explore, research

Synonym Discussion of PROBE

enter, penetrate, pierce, probe mean to make way into something. enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in <entered the city in triumph>. penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance <the enemy penetrated the fortress>. pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument <pierced the boil with a lancet>. probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge <probed the depths of the sea>.

PROBING Defined for Kids