probe

[ prohb ]

verb (used with object)

, probed, prob·ing.

1. to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely:

   to probe one's conscience.

   Synonyms: scrutinize, investigate

2. to examine or explore with or as if with an instrument:

   The dentist probed the offending tooth.

   She keeps probing her ear with a cotton swab.

verb (used without object)

, probed, prob·ing.

1. to examine or explore a matter thoroughly (sometimes followed by into ):

   The checklist consists of a series of questions carefully designed to probe into all aspects of your business.

   The cross-examiner probed a little more before dismissing the witness.

2. to explore or search with or as if with an instrument:

   You may have to probe with the rod until you find the mouth of the pipe.

noun

1. an act or instance of probing.
2. an investigation, especially by a legislative committee, of suspected illegal activity.
3. a tool or instrument designed for examining something, especially a slender surgical instrument for exploring the depth or direction of a wound, sinus, or the like.
4. Aerospace. space probe ( def ).
5. a projecting, pipelike device on a receiving aircraft used to make connection with and receive fuel from a tanker aircraft during refueling in flight.
6. a device, attached by cord to an oven, that can be inserted into roasts or other food so that the oven shuts off when the desired internal temperature of the food is reached.
7. Biology. any identifiable substance that is used to detect, isolate, or identify another substance, as a labeled strand of DNA that hybridizes with its complementary RNA or a monoclonal antibody that combines with a specific protein.

probe

/ prəʊb /

verb

1. tr to search into or question closely
2. to examine (something) with or as if with a probe

noun

1. something that probes, examines, or tests
2. surgery a slender and usually flexible instrument for exploring a wound, sinus, etc
3. a thorough inquiry, such as one by a newspaper into corrupt practices
4. electronics a lead connecting to or containing a measuring or monitoring circuit used for testing
5. electronics a conductor inserted into a waveguide or cavity resonator to provide coupling to an external circuit
6. any of various devices that provide a coupling link, esp a flexible tube extended from an aircraft to link it with another so that it can refuel
7. See space probe

Derived Forms

• ˈprobeable, adjective
• ˈprober, noun

Other Words From

• probe·a·ble adjective
• prob·er noun
• re·probe verb reprobed reprobing
• un·probed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of probe¹

First recorded in 1555–65; (noun) from Medieval Latin proba “examination,” Late Latin: “test,” derivative of probāre “to try, test, prove” ( proof ( def ), prove ( def ) ); (verb) partly derivative of the noun, partly from Latin probāre

Word History and Origins

Origin of probe¹

C16: from Medieval Latin proba investigation, from Latin probāre to test

Example Sentences

Teaming with a host of researchers, she wanted to study human communication, to probe how individual actions contributed to collective problem solving.

From Los Angeles Times

Just before Senate Bill 14 took effect in September 2023, Paxton opened an investigation into a prominent children’s hospital to probe around for “potentially illegal” activity that was happening there.

From Salon

Nasa has plans to launch a new mission, the Uranus Orbiter and Probe, to go back for a closer look in 10 years’ time.

From BBC

Nasa’s Uranus probe is expected to arrive by 2045, which is when scientists hope to find out whether these far-flung icy moons, once thought of as being dead worlds, might have the possibility of being home to life.

From BBC

“It was very surprising for me as well, because I thought that I would have to probe her, but she really invited me in,” says Kukuwa Fraser, the editor at Flatiron Books who worked on Palmer’s memoir.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• check out
• delve into
• dig
• examine
• inquire
• interrogate
• penetrate
• poke
• scrutinize
• sift
• verify