sampling

noun

sam·​pling ˈsam-pliŋ 

for senses 1 & 3

-p(ə-)liŋ 

1

: the act, process, or technique of selecting a suitable sample

specifically : the act, process, or technique of selecting a representative part of a population for the purpose of determining parameters or characteristics of the whole population

2

: a small part selected as a sample for inspection or analysis

ask a sampling of people which candidate they favor

3

: the introduction or promotion of a product by distributing trial packages of it

Synonyms

• cross section
• sample
• sampler
• selection
• slice

Examples of sampling in a Sentence

The reporter asked a sampling of people about their eating habits.

a sampling of the menu's entrées

We were given a sampling of the food.

The band does a lot of sampling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Experience a full English tea service with unlimited samplings of loose leaf tea, handmade tea sandwiches, nut-free scones and sweets, served on vintage dinnerware. —The Enquirer, 14 Apr. 2024

However, the sampling of breast milk has been a recurring plot line on Keeping Up With the Kardashians over the years, and her younger sister Kim even once tried using Kourtney's breast milk to treat her psoriasis. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sampling

• chorionic villus sampling

Medical Definition

sampling

noun

sam·​pling ˈsam-pliŋ 

1

: the act, process, or technique of selecting a suitable sample

specifically : the act, process, or technique of selecting a representative part of a population for the purpose of determining parameters or characteristics of the whole population

2

: sample

obtain a sampling of urine