prospecting

[ pros-pek-ting ]

noun

1. the activity of searching for valuable natural resources, as gold or oil:

   Foreign energy companies continue to explore for offshore oil, even though international agencies say the prospecting violates international law.

2. the activity of searching for something, especially prospective or likely customers, clients, etc.:

   Calling expired listings, knocking on doors to introduce yourself, and placing cold calls from lists of names all come under the umbrella of prospecting.

adjective

1. of or relating to the activity of searching for valuable natural resources:

   The mine has two shafts 600 feet apart: a prospecting shaft over 150 feet deep, and a double compartment shaft over which hoisting machinery is to be placed.

   Following a stint as a prospecting geologist in northern Ontario, he enrolled in a PhD program in the UK.

2. of or relating to the activity of searching for something, especially prospective or likely customers, clients, etc.:

   The number of days between initial contact and a deal’s closing date is used to calculate the average number of days in the prospecting cycle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prospecting¹

First recorded in 1845–50; prospect ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses; prospect ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

Many Democrats say they are bullish about their prospects, believing they can shepherd a series of record-breaking investments at a time when the resurgent coronavirus is forcing Americans to work and learn from home again.

From Washington Post

Temple was one of the many schools nationwide to cancel its pro day, which put fringe prospects such as him in a difficult spot.

From Washington Post

While Ball isn’t viewed as a can’t-miss prospect like other recent top draft picks, teams such as the Bulls, Knicks and Pistons have lottery picks and a need for backcourt playmakers.

From Washington Post

If that trend holds, Pineda is a few prospect cycles from being considered for the major league roster.

From Washington Post

However, they don’t rule out the prospect of price spikes or local or temporary shortages due to transport bottlenecks.

From Washington Post

Prospecting for his illusion, his last journey was over the Peruvian Andes into Colombia.

From Project Gutenberg

Prospecting to find out just how much that hundred thousand or two or three you've sunk in me is worth.

From Project Gutenberg

"Prospecting" included the searching for gold in almost any way that was experimental.

From Project Gutenberg

Prospecting for valuable metals by electricity has been recently introduced in Wales with remarkable success.

From Project Gutenberg

Prospecting generally was done by organized parties numbering anywhere from five to fifty men.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drilling