Exploration

noun

1. The act or an instance of exploring.

   "Arctic exploration; exploration of new theories."

2. The act of exploring; search, examination, or investigation, especially for the purpose of discovery; specifically, the investigation of an unknown country or part of the earth.
3. The act of exploring, penetrating, or ranging over for purposes of discovery, especially of geographical discovery; examination

   "the exploration of unknown countries"

4. The act of exploring
5. Notably penetrating, or ranging over for purposes of (especially geographical) discovery