sampling

1 of 2

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

sampling

2 of 2

present participle of sample entry 2

Synonyms of sampling

Noun

• sample

Examples of sampling in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

Nafousi continued experimenting with sampling and brand activations, but soon realized that greater investment in advertising and awareness was needed. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026

Los Angeles County analyzed a sampling of the likely noncitizen voters that the federal government claimed were registered there. — Jen Fifield, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2026

These records deviated from Deerhunter’s shoegaze and krautrock leanings, placing a greater emphasis on sampling and wall-of-sound pop. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026

The brand’s retail presence is key to growth, as are increased investments in eventing and sampling. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sampling

• chorionic villus sampling

Rhymes for sampling

• trampling
• resampling
• subsampling

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