example

noun ex·am·ple \ ig-ˈzam-pəl \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

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

Without any prosecutions — domestically or internationally — for crimes perpetrated by anti-Gaddafi factions in 2011, the Libyan civil war remains an unfortunate example of victor’s justice.

— mark kersten, Washington Post, "Will the International Criminal Court’s latest target in Libya be brought to justice?," 31 Aug. 2017
The Texas Diaper Bank , for example, says diapers (whether for babies or adults) are not provided by disaster-relief agencies.

— barbara ortutay, The Seattle Times, "How you can help with the disaster in Texas," 30 Aug. 2017
Venezuela policy is just one example of current divisions between the White House and State Department.

— krishnadev calamur, The Atlantic, "How Sanctions on Venezuela Exposed a White House-State Department Rift," 30 Aug. 2017
The Pollinator Partnership, the Honeybee Health Coalition, and the Center for Honeybee Research, in Asheville, North Carolina, are all good examples.

— susmita baral, Teen Vogue, "Bees and Colony Collapse Disorder, Explained," 29 Aug. 2017
KCI proposals by the numbers Here's an example of what the Kansas City International Airport selection committee has to sift through to decide on a developer for a new KCI.

— steve vockrodt and lynn horsley the kansas city star, kansascity, "A pair of new squabbles delays KCI contract selection," 29 Aug. 2017
For example, one featured a foreign language program at an elementary school.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Student filmmaker is gaining experience, winning awards," 25 Aug. 2017
June gave us so many gifts, some directly, some by example.

— rosanne cash, Country Living, "Rosanne Cash Reflects on What June Carter Was Like as a Stepmother," 25 Aug. 2017
For example, some inmates who are serving sentences for multiple offenses won't be affected.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "This Week in Voter Suppression," 24 Aug. 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

example Synonyms

Synonyms

case, exemplar, exemplification, illustration, instance, prototype, representative, sample, specimen, case in point

Related Words

archetype, classic, locus classicus, paradigm; cross section, microcosm; evidence, indication, manifestation, sign

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

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