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

The full extent of his travel is hard to pin down but here’s a sampling of where the world’s richest man was in January. —Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026

With all of the designing, sampling and production that needs to happen, the two-year gap between Winter and Summer events is barely enough. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 Feb. 2026

The event, which was launched in New York by a group of 300 bagel enthusiasts in 2019, is expected to attract up to 1,000 attendees and bring together top bagel makers, plus live demos, panel discussions, competitions and of course bagel and schmear sampling. —Richard Guzman, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026

Here's a sampling of village-building activities from our readers. —Mika Ellison, NPR, 18 Feb. 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