sample

¹sam·ple

noun \ˈsam-pəl\

Definition of SAMPLE

1

: 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

2

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

3

: an excerpt from a musical recording that is used in another artist's recording

Examples of SAMPLE

1. We would like to see a sample of your work.
2. I tasted a sample of the new cereal.
3. Free samples were handed out at the store.
4. The sample included 96 women over the age of 40.
5. A random sample of people filled out the survey.
6. We looked at a representative sample of public schools.

Origin of SAMPLE

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SAMPLE

Synonyms

cross section, sampler, sampling, selection, slice

Related Words

case, example, exemplar, exemplification, illustration, instance, representative, specimen; archetype, classic, locus classicus, paradigm, prototype; microcosm

See Synonym Discussion at instance

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

Rhymes with SAMPLE

ample, trample

²sample

transitive verb

sam·pledsam·pling \-p(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of SAMPLE

1

: 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>

2

: to use a segment of (another's musical recording) as part of one's own recording

Examples of SAMPLE

1. She sampled everything the resort had to offer, from golfing to yoga.
2. A low percentage of the women sampled said that they smoked during pregnancy.
3. Five of the 20 schools sampled did not meet the standards.

First Known Use of SAMPLE

1767

Related to SAMPLE

Synonyms

try (out), test

Related Words

check (out), examine, experiment (with), explore, feel (out), investigate, research, study; resample, retest

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

³sample

adjective

Definition of SAMPLE

: serving as an illustration or example <sample questions>

Examples of SAMPLE

1. The teacher handed out a sample essay.
2. Here are some sample questions for the test.

First Known Use of SAMPLE

1820

sam·ple

noun \ˈsam-pəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SAMPLE

1

: 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>

2

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