exploration

noun

Etymology: From Middle French exploration, from Latin exploratio. Morphologically explore + -ation.

1. The process of exploring.

   “By this time, largely inspired by The Railway Magazine, I had begun to spread my wings, and had started on a long career of railway exploration.”

2. The process of penetrating, or ranging over for purposes of (especially geographical) discovery.

   “The exploration of unknown areas was often the precursor to colonization.”

3. The (pre-)mining process of finding and determining commercially viable ore deposits (after prospecting), also called mineral exploration.
4. A physical examination of a patient.