specimen

noun

spec·​i·​men ˈspe-sə-mən 

ˈspes-mən

1

a

: an individual, item, or part considered typical of a group, class, or whole

b

: a portion or quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study

a urine specimen

2

a

: something that obviously belongs to a particular category but is noticed by reason of an individual distinguishing characteristic

b

: person, individual

he's a tough specimen

3

: a plant grown for exhibition or in the open to display its full development

specimen trees

Synonyms

• example
• sample

Choose the Right Synonym for specimen

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 specimen in a Sentence

The church is a magnificent specimen of baroque architecture.

Her dance partner is a superb physical specimen.

Recent Examples on the Web

The automobile, mortar-and-pestle sign and other artifacts and specimens are considered collection items, which the museum will continue to care for. —Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025

The lab should be locked down with guards everywhere and the specimens in secure containers. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Arthur confronts Dame Sylvia about his worries about having Wendy communicate directly with the aliens and the rest of The Lost Boys being in close proximity to the unknown specimens. —Leia Mendoza, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025

The vehicle is capable of locating and observing targets on the seabed, while also collecting samples such as biological specimens and sediments. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from specere to look at, look — more at spy

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing specimen

• type specimen

Rhymes for specimen

• jessamine

Kids Definition

specimen

noun

spec·​i·​men ˈspes-(ə-)mən 

1

: a part or a single thing that shows what the whole thing or group is like : sample

2

: a portion of material for use in testing or examination

a blood specimen

3

: person sense 1, individual

he's a tough specimen

Medical Definition

specimen

noun

spec·​i·​men ˈspes-(ə-)mən 

1

: an individual, item, or part typical of a group, class, or whole

2

: a portion or quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study

a urine specimen