sample

1 of 3

noun

sam·​ple ˈsam-pəl 

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 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

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 (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

Synonyms

Noun

• cross section
• sampler
• sampling
• selection
• slice

Verb

• test
• try (out)

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

Noun

Additionally, the crew Brabo Music merges avant-garde samples and cartoon noises with the pop sounds of Brazilian funk. —Felipe Maia, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2024

However, the researchers noted that the sample size of Black Floridians in the poll was small. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024

To determine the presence of live virus, the agency is also conducting tests that involve injecting chicken eggs with samples and monitoring whether the virus replicates. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

Further evaluation of the milk samples will be done. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 25 Apr. 2024

Several dairy cows have been infected, resulting in milk samples showing inactive remnants of the virus, and one human case has been confirmed. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024

How Aspirin May Fight Colorectal Cancer For the study, researchers analyzed tissue samples from 238 people who underwent surgery to treat colorectal cancer from 2015 to 2019. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 25 Apr. 2024

Prater said that the samples had come from a national survey of the U.S. milk supply, but declined to share details of where they had been found and what kinds of milk have tested positive. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024

The poll survey makeup was 34% Republican, 31% Democratic and 34% independent — a slightly heavier sample of Republican than on average. —Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024

Verb

If scientists want to sample ancient ice in its pristine form in the solar system, Solomon says, the best source is probably Mercury’s poles. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024

Younger generations of musicians, who came up awash in sampling and remixing, made no discernible outcry for another extension. —Andrew Dalton, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024

In a July survey by the polling organization, the retrospective approval ratings of nearly every recent president sampled were higher than their average approval rating in office. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024

Port Ellen is hoping to attract upscale whisky fans to sample a by-appointment-only Atlas of Smoke Experience. —Angus MacKinnon, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024

Natusch himself also has sampled python barbecued, slow-cooked, sauteed and as curry and jerky. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024

Chickens will inevitably sample a little bit of everything at one point or another, so Kate advises presenting them with plenty of good nibbling choices vs. other toxic tastes. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024

Guests will get to sample 5 wines expertly paired with 5 kinds of cheese and hear about wine and cheesemakers from across the state. —Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2024

Trixie Smith, Bessie Smith, Little Richard, Ruth Brown, LaVern Baker, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe are among just a handful of artists Professor Bey could sample in her essential musical history lesson. —Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 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

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

Phrases Containing sample

• sample space

Kids Definition

sample

1 of 2 noun

sam·​ple ˈsam-pəl 

1

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

2

: 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 

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