sample

1 of 3

noun

sam·ple ˈsam-pəl

: a representative part or a single item from a larger whole or group especially when presented for inspection or shown as evidence of quality : specimen

: a finite part of a statistical population whose properties are studied to gain information about the whole

: an excerpt from a recording (such as a popular song by another performer) that is used in a musical composition, recording, or performance

… had to substantially rewrite "Sometimes I Miss You … " when he was denied permission to use a Michael Jackson sample …—

Jon Young

sample

2 of 3

verb

sampled; sampling ˈsam-p(ə-)liŋ

transitive verb

: to take a sample of or from

especially : to judge the quality of by a sample : test

sampled his output for defects

sample a wine

: to use a segment of (recorded music, sounds, or dialogue from another source) as part of one's own musical composition or recording

A Josh Wink record takes a series of sampled noises, then twists and warps them through a barrage of sound processors …—

Frank Broughton

: to use a sample (see sample entry 1 sense 3) from (another recording or performer)

… claims Carey sampled his hit "I Want to Thank You" on her 1992 song "Make It Happen."—

Jancee Dunn

sample

3 of 3

adjective

: serving as an illustration or example

sample questions

Choose the Right Synonym for sample

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category.

instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Examples of sample in a Sentence

Noun We would like to see a sample of your work. I tasted a sample of the new cereal. Free samples were handed out at the store. The sample included 96 women over the age of 40. A random sample of people filled out the survey. We looked at a representative sample of public schools. Verb She sampled everything the resort had to offer, from golfing to yoga. A low percentage of the women sampled said that they smoked during pregnancy. Five of the 20 schools sampled did not meet the standards. Adjective The teacher handed out a sample essay. Here are some sample questions for the test.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

In general, the larger the sample size in such studies, the greater the chances are that the outcome will be statistically significant. —

Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024 So, for example, there’s a move to generate artificial data using artificial intelligence to increase our sample size. —

Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024

Verb

For the latter, Mike chopped up his band’s still-rising hit and reorganized the instrumental into a repeating pattern, similar to a DJ sampling part of an old rock song for a new rap track. —

Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024 The margin of sampling error for voters in the AP VoteCast survey was estimated to be plus or minus 0.4 percentage points. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

Adjective

But, again, this low value only records an increasing inequality of sub-sample size. —

Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 8 June 2011 Here’s a sample Mediterranean diet meal plan for a day, which fits a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet and is around the range of those flexible Mediterranean diet macros mentioned above. —

Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for sample

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French sample, essample, from Latin exemplum — more at example

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of sample was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sample.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sample. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

sample

1 of 2 noun

sam·ple ˈsam-pəl

: a part or thing that shows the quality of the whole or group

: a part (as a set of individuals chosen from a whole population) used for investigating the whole

sample

2 of 2 verb

sampled; sampling -p(ə-)liŋ

: to judge the quality of by a sample

Medical Definition

sample

noun

sam·ple ˈsam-pəl

: a representative part or a single item from a larger whole or group especially when presented for inspection or shown as evidence of quality : specimen

a blood sample

: a finite part of a statistical population whose properties are studied to gain information about the whole

Last Updated: 22 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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sample

noun

verb

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of sample in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near sample

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition