experimental

[ik-sper-uh-men-tl]

adjective

1. pertaining to, derived from, or founded on experiment.

   an experimental science.

2. of the nature of an experiment; tentative.

   The new program is still in an experimental stage.

3. functioning as an experiment or used for experimentation.

   an experimental airplane.

4. based on or derived from experience; empirical.

   experimental knowledge.

noun

1. something that is experimental.

experimental

/ ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. relating to, based on, or having the nature of experiment

   an experimental study

2. based on or derived from experience; empirical

   experimental evidence

3. tending to experiment

   an experimental artist

4. tentative or provisional

   an experimental rule in football

Other Word Forms

• experimentally adverb
• nonexperimental adjective
• nonexperimentally adverb
• postexperimental adjective
• preexperimental adjective
• pseudoexperimental adjective
• pseudoexperimentally adverb
• quasi-experimental adjective
• quasi-experimentally adverb
• semiexperimental adjective
• semiexperimentally adverb
• unexperimental adjective
• unexperimentally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of experimental¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word experīmentālis. See experiment, -al ¹

Example Sentences

An activity centre for babies and toddlers, an Indian restaurant, an indoor golf centre – and a mini experimental steel plant.

From BBC

The science is still extremely experimental, but a heart and a kidney operation have gone ahead.

From BBC

Therrien was wild and experimental in the 1970s, as part of a feral community of artists who interacted and shared ideas with scientists at Caltech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

From Los Angeles Times

"Around that time, there was something so experimental about what was going on," explains director Safdie, one half of the Safdie brothers, whose screen credits include Uncut Gems.

From BBC

But her next album, 2013's Beyoncé, was a turning point – a disruptive, experimental, futuristic R&B album that set the template for the third act of her career.

From BBC

Related Words

• empirical 
• preliminary 
• unproved