example

noun

ex·am·ple | \ ig-ˈzam-pəl

Definition of example

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 \ fər-ig-ˈzam-pəl ,

frig- \

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

example

verb

exampled; exampling\ ig-ˈzam-p(ə-)liŋ

Definition of example (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to serve as an example of

2 archaic : to be or set an example to

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Choose the Right Synonym for example

Noun

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

Examples of example in a Sentence

Noun

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 on the Web: Noun

All the models feature full-length windows to provide natural light The Duo 100, for example, is on the smaller size at about 613 square feet, with one bedroom and one bathroom on the main level and a sleeping loft up above. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Affordable A-frame house can be built by just two people," 11 Jan. 2019 Perhaps one good example was Walter Younger from Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. — Joelle Monique, Teen Vogue, ""If Beale Street Could Talk" Highlights the Power of Love in a World Designed for Black People to Fail," 9 Jan. 2019 One fantastic example is Fran Drescher of The Nanny. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "The Unsung Red Carpet Heroes of the ’90s Golden Globes," 4 Jan. 2019 Zircon is just one example of a slew of hypersonic weapons under development by the U.S., Russia, and China. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russia’s New Hypersonic Missile Travels Nearly Two Miles a Second," 26 Dec. 2018 One example was an analysis of all public screenshots of this game that had existed prior to their discovery. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "You can now download the long-lost (and unfinished) SimCity NES port," 26 Dec. 2018 Kate Middleton's parents, for example, have never spent Christmas at Sandringham. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Doria Ragland Reportedly Won't Spend Christmas with the Royal Family," 18 Dec. 2018 Jenner always goes the extra mile to get the perfect social media snapshot, and her Polar Bear Club homage was the perfect example. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Kendall Jenner Proves It’s Never Too Cold for a Bikini," 30 Dec. 2018 One of the most recent examples of such a hijacking occurred in April as attackers took control of IP addresses that Amazon uses for its Route 53 DNS service. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "How 3ve’s BGP hijackers eluded the Internet—and made $29M," 21 Dec. 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.