What does experimentation mean?
Experimentation is the process of testing ideas, methods, or substances through structured trials in order to discover facts, confirm hypotheses, or find out what works. It is most closely associated with science, where experiments are designed to be controlled, measurable, and repeatable, but the word extends to any deliberate attempt to try something new — a chef experimenting with flavors, a designer experimenting with materials, or an artist experimenting with form. Grammatically it is an uncountable noun, so it takes no plural and is typically paired with modifiers such as 'scientific', 'careful', or 'extensive'. Its connotations are largely positive, evoking curiosity, rigour, and progress, although in contexts such as animal or human experimentation the word can raise ethical questions. Derived from Latin roots meaning 'to try out', experimentation captures one of humanity's most powerful tools for turning uncertainty into knowledge.
nounThe process of testing ideas or methods through trial and observation in order to discover something or establish what works. It also refers more broadly to trying out new approaches, especially ones that are not yet proven.
- The process of carrying out tests or trials to discover or verify something, especially in science.
- The act of trying out new ideas, methods, or experiences without a guaranteed outcome.
"The drug was approved only after years of careful experimentation."
"Scientific experimentation requires careful controls and repeatable results."
"Her early musical experimentation eventually gave rise to a completely new sound."
A rare plural occasionally seen when referring to multiple distinct instances or kinds of experimental activity, but this is non-standard and best avoided; treat the noun as uncountable.
"Standard usage: 'The lab is devoted to scientific experimentation.' Avoid: 'the experimentations of the lab'."
Every modern medicine you've ever taken exists because someone, somewhere, was willing to run an experiment that might have failed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of experimentation
Experimentation derives from 'experiment', which entered English via Old French from the Latin 'experimentum', meaning 'a trial or test', itself from 'experiri' — 'to try, to test' — formed from the prefix 'ex-' (out of) and root 'peritus' (experienced, tested). The noun 'experimentation' was formed later by adding the suffix '-ation' to denote the process or activity of experimenting. The same Latin root gives English several close relatives, including 'experience', 'expert', and 'peril'-adjacent terms tracing back to the idea of putting something to the test.
Related word forms
How experimentation is actually used
The word is largely formal to neutral in register and is almost always used as an uncountable noun — it has no plural in standard usage. It carries a generally positive connotation of inquiry and progress, though phrases like 'animal experimentation' or 'human experimentation' can carry ethical weight. In scientific contexts it implies systematic method; in everyday contexts ('culinary experimentation') it suggests playful exploration.
Easily confused with experimentation
'Experiment' is the trial itself (countable), while 'experimentation' is the ongoing activity or process of conducting experiments and is typically uncountable.