sampling

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

Synonyms of sampling

• sample

Examples of sampling in a Sentence

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

These jewels are only a small sampling of what will be available at the show. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade issued the advisory after a sampling showed the water didn’t meet the state’s recommended recreational quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria, according to a statement. —Sofia Saric may 21, Miami Herald, 21 May 2026

Here is a sampling of Memorial Day events on Monday, May 25, in the Los Angeles area honoring and remembering the men and women who died during active service in the United States armed forces and deceased veterans who served at any time. —Holly Andres, Daily News, 20 May 2026

Officials said the water line serving the affected homes has tested clear of coliform bacteria in two consecutive sampling events, as required by the California State Water Resources Control Board. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 20 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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