example

noun ex·am·ple \ ig-ˈzam-pəl \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: example in a Sentence

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

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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, in 2014 Monica Gagliano and her colleagues at the University of Western Australia and the University of Firenze in Italy published a paper that caused a media frenzy, on experiments with Mimosa pudica plants.

— katia moskvitch, WIRED, "Slime Molds Remember—But Do They Learn?," 14 July 2018
Russia’s federal government, for example, sent about $550 million to Nizhny Novgorod, an industrial hub on the confluence of Volga and Oka rivers, to help finance a new airport as well as a metro station near the stadium, which opened this year.

— ivan nechepurenko, New York Times, "Peeking Around Corners in the World Cup’s Provincial Cities," 14 July 2018
Most associations have additional rules meeting their particular needs, such as amenity usage rules, architectural and landscaping standards, parking rules, and meeting rules, for example.

— kelly g. richardson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "HOA Homefront: Are these rules valid?," 14 July 2018
Their cell membranes, for example, are made up of two different kinds of fatty molecules, known as lipids.

— prachi patel, Scientific American, "Engineered Microbe Shakes Up the Tree of Life," 13 July 2018
The Justice Department's inspector general, for example, referred findings on former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe to prosecutors to consider criminal charges.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Scott Pruitt is still under investigation by EPA watchdog," 13 July 2018
Lees missed the orchestra's 2017 European tour, for example.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Timothy Lees steps down as Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra concertmaster," 13 July 2018
For example, Kruse's grandchild Noah only paid $1 for a Disney Pixar Incredibles Bear that normally costs $28.

— megan jones, Aurora Beacon-News, "Grandma who waited 4½ hours in Aurora Build-A-Bear line says it was 'all worth it'," 13 July 2018
Indianapolis, for example, will host the 2021-22 title game.

— doug haller, azcentral, "Fiesta Bowl extends agreement with College Football Playoff through 2026," 13 July 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

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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

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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