example

noun ex·am·ple \ ig-ˈzam-pəl \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of example

1 : one that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not to be imitated

a good example

2 : a punishment inflicted on someone as a warning to others; also : an individual so punished

3 : one that is representative of all of a group or type

4 : a parallel or closely similar case especially when serving as a precedent or model

5 : an instance (such as a problem to be solved) serving to illustrate a rule or precept or to act as an exercise in the application of a rule

— for example play \fər-ig-ˈzam-pəl, frig-\

: as an example

there are many sources of air pollution; exhaust fumes, for example

See example defined for English-language learners

See example defined for kids

Examples of example in a Sentence

He set a good example for the rest of us.
She gave several examples to show that the program is effective.
We've chosen three examples of contemporary architecture for closer study.
a classic example of a Persian rug
a fine example of the artist's work
The dictionary includes thousands of examples.

Recent Examples of example from the Web

For example, Tyler Johnson goes out at a far lower price before June 30.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "ASK IRA: Could Heat have managed Whiteside-Spoelstra better?," 6 May 2018
For example, damages the animals cause cost the Navajo Nation more than $200,000 a year.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "191 horses dropped dead beside dry pond as Arizona suffers drought," 6 May 2018
Several candidates who supported highway tolls, for example, said their support was conditioned on reducing the gas tax, providing a rebate to state drivers or guaranteeing the revenue would be devoted to improving transportation.

— matthew kauffman, courant.com, "From Tolls To Guns To Pot To Casinos, Connecticut's Gubernatorial Hopefuls Speak Out," 6 May 2018
For example, election judges who worked at Marya Yates Elementary School in Matteson can pat themselves on the back.

— ted slowik, Daily Southtown, "Slowik: Cook County clerk on how, when and where people voted — or didn’t vote — in March primary," 5 May 2018
The Dubai World Cup, for example, carries a $10 million purse despite a ban on pari-mutuel betting in the United Arab Emirates.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "The big payout isn't always money in the Kentucky Derby, it's glory," 5 May 2018
Some of those things can be revived at smaller scale, allowing us to experience their charms and pleasures without directly punitive results to others: There is a wonderful sensory upside to an heirloom tomato or a small-batch bourbon, for example.

— christopher bonanos, Daily Intelligencer, "The New Ferry Fleet Will Be Delightful, and Is Also a Huge Mistake," 5 May 2018
One recent example comes from an international scientific team studying the bacterium, Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6, which makes an enzyme that breaks down the most commonly used form of plastic, thus allowing the bacterium to eat it.

— amanda foreman, WSJ, "Serendipity in Science Is Often Born of Years of Labor," 4 May 2018
One example comes from the Scottish National Liberation Army, a small organization modeled after militants in Northern Ireland.

— simon r. gardner, The Atlantic, "98 Years of Mail Fraud," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'example.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of example

Middle English, from Anglo-French essample, example, from Latin exemplum, from eximere to take out, from ex- + emere to take — more at redeem

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

example Synonyms

Synonyms

case, exemplar, illustration, instance, prototype, representative, sample, specimen;

cross section, microcosm;

evidence, indication, manifestation, sign;

Phrases

case in point;

Synonym Discussion of example

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

model, example, pattern, exemplar, ideal mean someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation. model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.

- a decor that is a model of good taste

example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.

- children tend to follow the example of their parents

pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.

- American industry set a pattern for others to follow

exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.

- cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.

- never found a job that matched his ideal

example

verb

Definition of example

exampled; exampling play \ig-ˈzam-p(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to serve as an example of

2 archaic : to be or set an example to

First Known Use of example

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

EXAMPLE Defined for English Language Learners

example

noun

Definition of example for English Language Learners

: a person or way of behaving that is seen as a model that should be followed
: someone or something that is mentioned to help explain what you are saying or to show that a general statement is true
: something or someone chosen from a group in order to show what the whole group is like