probe — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc.

2. Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc. An anal probe, a fictional instrument commonly used by aliens on abducted humans.

   Examples

   You know, XR178.9, we haven't done any anal probes in a while.

   You listen here! We don't do anal probes like other aliens, but I'm about to make an exception!

3. Something which penetrates something else, as though to explore; something which obtains information.

   Usage

   • Figurative

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Silverberg also gives the reader reader some excellent character insight; deep probes into the minds of all the principals bring the reader closer to the persons involved than might be thought possible with the plot so far removed from the realm of normality.

4. An act of probing; a prod, a poke.

5. An investigation or inquiry.

   Usage

   • Figurative

   Examples

   They launched a probe into the cause of the accident.

6. A tube attached to an aircraft which can be fitted into the drogue from a tanker aircraft to allow for aerial refuelling.

7. A small device, especially an electrode, used to explore, investigate or measure something by penetrating or being placed in it.

   Examples

   Insert the probe into the soil and read the temperature.

8. A small, usually uncrewed, spacecraft used to acquire information or measurements about its surroundings.

9. A move with multiple possible answers, seeking to make the opponent choose and commit to a strategy.

10. Any group of atoms or molecules radioactively labeled in order to study a given molecule or other structure

Verb

1. To explore, investigate, question, test, or prove.

   Usage

   • Transitive or intransitive

   Examples

   If you probe further, you may discover different reasons.

   the growing disposition to probe the legality of all acts of the crown

   More examples (1)

   It was exhilarating to watch him share a meal and then probe deeper into the cultures, the politics, and the heartbeat of the people of the city or country he was in. He seemed so learned, but not in any pretentious way.

2. To insert a probe into.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

1. an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities

   Synonyms

   investigation

   Broader terms

   inquiryenquiryresearch

   Examples

   there was a congressional probe into the scandal

2. a flexible slender surgical instrument with a blunt end that is used to explore wounds or body cavities

   Broader terms

   surgical instrument

3. an exploratory action or expedition

   Broader terms

   exploration

4. an investigation conducted using a flexible surgical instrument to explore an injury or a body cavity

   Broader terms

   research

Verb

1. question or examine thoroughly and closely

   Synonyms

   examine

   Broader terms

   investigatelook into

2. examine physically with or as if with a probe

   Synonyms

   dig intopoke into

   Broader terms

   penetrateperforate

   Examples

   probe an anthill