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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

probe

/pɹoʊb/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does probe mean?

noun

  1. Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc.
  2. An anal probe, a fictional instrument commonly used by aliens on abducted humans.
  3. (figuratively) Something which penetrates something else, as though to explore; something which obtains information.
More meanings (10)

noun

  1. An act of probing; a prod, a poke.
  2. (figuratively) An investigation or inquiry.
  3. A tube attached to an aircraft which can be fitted into the drogue from a tanker aircraft to allow for aerial refuelling.
  4. A small device, especially an electrode, used to explore, investigate or measure something by penetrating or being placed in it.
  5. A small, usually uncrewed, spacecraft used to acquire information or measurements about its surroundings.
  6. A move with multiple possible answers, seeking to make the opponent choose and commit to a strategy.
  7. 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.
  2. To insert a probe into.

proper noun

  1. A model of Ford automobile.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/pɹoʊb/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

I decided, as a useful test, to probe her on the subject of her marriage-engagement to Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite.
Wilkie CollinsThe MoonstoneProject Gutenberg ebook #155
From Estella she looked at me, with a searching glance that seemed to pry into my heart and probe its wounds.
Charles DickensGreat ExpectationsProject Gutenberg ebook #1400
More book examples (3)
No doubt some imperceptible cranny, some defect in the cement, allows her to insert her ovipositor, which shoots out like a probe.
Jean-Henri FabreThe Mason-BeesTranslated by Alexander Teixeira de MattosProject Gutenberg ebook #2884
A probe passed along the aorta into the innominate protruded into the same cavity about the bifurcation of the vessel.
George M. (George Milbrey) Gould; Walter L. (Walter Lytle) PyleAnomalies and Curiosities of MedicineProject Gutenberg ebook #747
Otherwise, the wound, as yet, perhaps, superficial enough to avoid penetrating even the bursa, is made a penetrating one by the probe itself.
H. Caulton (Harry Caulton) ReeksDiseases of the Horse's FootProject Gutenberg ebook #11204