probe
Americanverb (used with object)
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to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely.
to probe one's conscience.
- Synonyms:
- scrutinize, investigate
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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)
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to examine or explore a matter thoroughly (sometimes followed byinto ).
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.
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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
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an act or instance of probing.
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an investigation, especially by a legislative committee, of suspected illegal activity.
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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.
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Aerospace. space probe.
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a projecting, pipelike device on a receiving aircraft used to make connection with and receive fuel from a tanker aircraft during refueling in flight.
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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.
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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.
verb
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(tr) to search into or question closely
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to examine (something) with or as if with a probe
noun
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something that probes, examines, or tests
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surgery a slender and usually flexible instrument for exploring a wound, sinus, etc
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a thorough inquiry, such as one by a newspaper into corrupt practices
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electronics a lead connecting to or containing a measuring or monitoring circuit used for testing
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electronics a conductor inserted into a waveguide or cavity resonator to provide coupling to an external circuit
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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
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See space probe
Other Word Forms
- probeable adjective
- prober noun
- reprobe verb
- unprobed adjective
Etymology
Origin of probe
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The probe looked into whether Summers and other members of Harvard’s faculty and administration had interactions with Epstein that violated its guidelines on accepting gifts and should be subject to disciplinary action.
From Salon
It’s not clear how long the federal probe is going to last.
From Los Angeles Times
In recent years, IRS criminal investigators have launched an increasing number of probes into questionable refunds in cases similar to Murrin’s.
From MarketWatch
It added that it would recommend a departmental inquiry against CBI officials for their shoddy probe in the case.
From BBC
In an interview last month, Moore said he opened an internal investigation into the Lachman fire through the LAFD’s Professional Standards Division, which probes complaints against department members.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
