probe

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 ~ (into sth) to ask questions in order to find out secret or hidden information about sb/sth: [V] He didn't like the media probing into his past. * [VN] a TV programme that probed government scandals in the 1990s [also Vspeech] 2 [VN] to touch, examine or look for sth, especially with a long thin instrument: The doctor probed the wound for signs of infection. * Searchlights probed the night sky. noun 1 ~ (into sth) (used especially in newspapers) a thorough and careful investigation of sth: a police probe into the financial affairs of the company * Arson probe after three die at home. 2 (also space probe) a spacecraft without people on board which obtains information and sends it back to earth 3 (technical) a long thin metal tool used by doctors for examining inside the body 4 (technical) a small device put inside sth and used by scientists to test sth or record information