probe Meaning & Definition
What Does Probe Mean?
Probe is used as a noun meaning Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc. An anal probe, a fictional instrument commonly used by aliens on abducted humans. It is also used to mean An anal probe, a fictional instrument commonly used by aliens on abducted humans. As a verb, it means To explore, investigate, question, test, or prove. As a verb, it means To explore, investigate, or question.
Word Facts for Probe
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /pɹəʊb/ |
| Synonyms | examine, probing and investigation |
| Plural | probes |
| Verb forms | probes, probing, probed |
Probe Definition (Noun)
- Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc. An anal probe, a fictional instrument commonly used by aliens on abducted humans.
- An anal probe, a fictional instrument commonly used by aliens on abducted humans.
- Something which penetrates something else, as though to explore; something which obtains information.
- An act of probing; a prod, a poke.
- An investigation or inquiry.
They launched a probe into the cause of the accident.
- A tube attached to an aircraft which can be fitted into the drogue from a tanker aircraft to allow for aerial refuelling.
- A small device, especially an electrode, used to explore, investigate or measure something by penetrating or being placed in it.
Insert the probe into the soil and read the temperature.
- A small, usually uncrewed, spacecraft used to acquire information or measurements about its surroundings.
- A move with multiple possible answers, seeking to make the opponent choose and commit to a strategy.
- Any group of atoms or molecules radioactively labeled in order to study a given molecule or other structure.
Probe as a Verb
- To explore, investigate, question, test, or prove.
If you probe further, you may discover different reasons.
- To insert a probe into.
Noun
- Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc.
- A small, usually unmanned, spacecraft used to acquire information or measurements about its surroundings.
- (game of go) a move with multiple answers seeking to make the opponent choose and commit to a strategy
Verb
- To explore, investigate, or question
If you probe further, you may discover different reasons.
Synonyms of Probe
Probe synonyms and antonyms →Probe in a Sentence
They launched a probe into the cause of the accident.
Insert the probe into the soil and read the temperature.
If you probe further, you may discover different reasons.
Word Forms & Grammar
probe (plural probes)
probe (third-person singular simple present probes, present participle probing, simple past and past participle probed)
Words That Rhyme With Probe
Origin of Probe
Origin 1: For verb: borrowed from Latin probare (“to test, examine, prove”), from probus (“good”). Doublet of prove.
Origin 2: For noun: borrowed from Late Latin proba (“a proof”), from probare (“to test, examine, prove”); Doublet of proof. Compare Spanish tienta (“a surgeon's probe”), from tentar (“try, test”); see tempt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Probe
Is probe a noun or a verb?
Probe is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for probe?
Words with a similar meaning to probe include examine, probing and investigation. See the full list of probe synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of probe?
The plural of probe is probes.
What is the past tense of probe?
The past tense of probe is probed. The present participle is probing.