experimentation
gb/ɪkspˌɛɹɪməntˈeɪʃən/ us/ɪkspˌɛɹɪməntˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 7600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
process of doing controlled tests
The planned process of doing careful, controlled tests to find new facts or check if an idea is true.
Usage pattern:
experimentation with [something]; experimentation in [a field]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "experimentation" when they should use the countable noun "experiment" (e.g., saying *"I did an experimentation"* instead of "I did an experiment"). "Experimentation" is usually uncountable and refers to the general process, not a single test. Another common mistake is leaving out the preposition: you say "experimentation with chemicals" or "experimentation in physics," not *"experimentation chemicals"* or *"experimentation physics"*.
Synonyms
testing (More general and slightly less formal; does not always suggest a long or scientific process.)
|
research (Focuses more on the whole activity of studying a subject; may include experimentation but also observation, reading, and analysis.)
|
trial (Often refers to a single test or one stage of testing, not the ongoing process as strongly as "experimentation".)
Antonyms
guesswork (Suggests drawing conclusions without careful tests or evidence, the opposite of systematic experimentation.)
|
assumption (Means accepting something as true without testing it, contrasting with the idea of checking ideas through experimentation.)
Collocations
scientific experimentation
|experimentation with chemicals
|experimentation in the lab
|experimentation on animals
|experimentation with new drugs
|years of experimentation
Themes
science
|research
|technology
|education
Examples
- After years of experimentation, the team finally developed a safe and effective vaccine.
- The new drug is still in the early stages of experimentation and has not been approved for general use.
- Careful experimentation showed that the material became weaker at high temperatures.
- Her PhD focuses on the role of experimentation in climate modeling.
- The company reduced the budget for laboratory experimentation during the economic downturn.
Learner examples
- The scientists used experimentation to test their ideas.
- Through experimentation, they found a better way to make the medicine.
- Experimentation in the lab can take many months.
- We need more experimentation before we can trust these results.
- Modern technology makes scientific experimentation faster and cheaper.
unknown
B2
action
2
trying new methods or styles
The act of testing new ways of doing something to find out which way works well.
Usage pattern:
experimentation with [methods/styles]; experimentation in [an area/activity]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning only belongs to science. In everyday English, "experimentation" is also very common in art, cooking, design, and business. Another mistake is using an adjective instead of a noun phrase, for example *"an experimentation music style"* instead of "a style of musical experimentation." Also, do not say *"make an experimentation"*; say "do some experimentation" or "carry out experimentation."
Synonyms
innovation (Highlights bringing in something new and effective; it may or may not involve a lot of trial and error like "experimentation" does.)
|
trial and error (Emphasizes repeatedly trying and failing until something works; often less formal than "experimentation".)
|
exploration (Focuses on looking for new possibilities or ideas, not always with the structured or testing focus of "experimentation".)
Antonyms
tradition (Refers to established ways of doing things that are kept the same, the opposite of trying new methods.)
|
conformity (Means behaving or working in the same way as others or as expected, instead of experimenting with new approaches.)
Collocations
artistic experimentation
|musical experimentation
|experimentation with form
|experimentation in teaching
|experimentation with new techniques
|experimentation in the kitchen
Themes
art
|business
|innovation
|daily life
|arts_entertainment
|work
|education
Examples
- The chef’s menu is full of experimentation with unusual flavor combinations.
- The band became famous for its constant experimentation with electronic sounds.
- There has been a lot of experimentation in schools with new ways of teaching math.
- Her early novels show more experimentation with narrative structure than her later work.
- Successful products often grow out of years of quiet experimentation and small changes.
Learner examples
- The teacher encouraged experimentation with different ways of learning.
- There is a lot of experimentation in modern art.
- We did some experimentation with new marketing ideas.
- His cooking is based on experimentation with spices.
- Good software design needs experimentation and feedback.
Noun
C1
action
3
trying new, often risky experiences
The act of trying new kinds of behavior or experiences, often a bit risky or not usual, to see what they are like.
Usage pattern:
experimentation with [behaviors/substances]; experimentation during [a life stage]
Common mistake:
Learners may misunderstand this meaning as always scientific. In social and personal contexts, "experimentation" often refers to behavior (for example, sex, drugs, identity), not to lab tests. Another mistake is using it in the plural for single acts (e.g., *"a sexual experimentation"*); normally it is uncountable here, or we say "a period of sexual experimentation."
Synonyms
exploration (Stresses personally discovering or learning about something new, often with less focus on risk than "experimentation" can have in this context.)
|
trying out (A very general phrase for testing something once or a few times; less formal and less focused on a pattern of behavior than "experimentation".)
Antonyms
abstinence (Means not taking part in certain behaviors (such as sex, drugs, or alcohol), which is the opposite of experimenting with them.)
|
avoidance (Emphasizes staying away from certain activities or experiences, which contrasts with choosing to try them through experimentation.)
Collocations
sexual experimentation
|drug experimentation
|experimentation with alcohol
|teenage experimentation
|experimentation with identity
Themes
society
|health
|relationships
|youth
|daily_life
Examples
- Many parents worry about teenage experimentation with drugs and alcohol.
- College can be a time of experimentation with different identities and lifestyles.
- The survey found high levels of sexual experimentation among young adults.
- Some forms of medical training involve controlled experimentation with pain and stress limits, which raises ethical questions.
- The article discusses how online spaces have changed social experimentation with gender and identity.
Learner examples
- There is often some experimentation with alcohol in high school.
- The film shows the main character’s experimentation with different lifestyles.
- Parents sometimes fear their child’s experimentation with drugs.
- University life can bring more freedom and experimentation.
- The book talks about teenage experimentation and risk-taking.
Grammar
Dictionary form
experimentation
IPA
GB/ɪkspˌɛɹɪməntˈeɪʃən/
US/ɪkspˌɛɹɪməntˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
ex - per - i - ment - a - tion (6 syllables)
Stress on 5th syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: experimentation
- Plural: experimentation, experimentations
Word family
Forms
experimentations
noun
Core family
experiment
noun B1
experimental
adjective B2
Related words
experimentally
adverb
experimenter
noun
Negative and opposite forms
nonexperimental
adjective
Advanced or less common
experimentalist
noun
Expressions
animal experimentation
1/ˈænəməl ɪkspˌɛɹɪməntˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
scientific tests done on animals
The practice of doing scientific or medical tests on live animals to study diseases, treatments, or products.
Examples
- The company has promised to stop all animal experimentation within the next five years.
- Animal experimentation remains a highly controversial issue in medical research.
drug experimentation
1/dɹˈʌɡ ɪkspˌɛɹɪməntˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
trying recreational or illegal drugs
The act of trying illegal or recreational drugs, usually a few times, to see how they feel or what happens.
Examples
- The study found that early drug experimentation is linked to later addiction problems.
- Parents are worried about drug experimentation among teenagers in the area.
human experimentation
1/hjˈumən ɪkspˌɛɹɪməntˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
scientific tests done on humans
The practice of doing controlled tests on human beings for science or medicine, usually under strict rules and ethics.
Examples
- Modern guidelines strictly control human experimentation to protect participants’ rights.
- The report describes illegal human experimentation carried out during the war.
sexual experimentation
1/sˈɛkʃuəl ɪkspˌɛɹɪməntˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
trying new sexual behaviors
The act of trying different sexual activities or partners to find out what you like or how you feel about them.
Examples
- The book discusses sexual experimentation among young adults in modern society.
- She later described her twenties as a time of sexual experimentation and self-discovery.