sample

noun sam·ple \ ˈsam-pəl \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of sample

1 : a representative part or a single item from a larger whole or group especially when presented for inspection or shown as evidence of quality : specimen

2 : a finite part of a statistical population whose properties are studied to gain information about the whole

3 : an excerpt from a recording (such as a popular song by another performer) that is used in a musical composition, recording, or performance

… had to substantially rewrite "Sometimes I Miss You … " when he was denied permission to use a Michael Jackson sample …
—Jon Young

See sample defined for English-language learners

See sample defined for kids

Examples of sample in a Sentence

We would like to see a sample of your work.
I tasted a sample of the new cereal.
Free samples were handed out at the store.
The sample included 96 women over the age of 40.
A random sample of people filled out the survey.
We looked at a representative sample of public schools.

Recent Examples of sample from the Web

The first and third experiments were conducted through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk with convenience samples of 330 and 408 U.S. adults, respectively.

— sarah kreps, Washington Post, "Americans feel a moral obligation to help humanitarian victims (like those in Syria) with military force," 10 Apr. 2018
For example, Heaney’s data, drawn from a truly randomized sample attending the Washington, D.C., march, found that only about 15% of the crowd had been mobilized by the March for Science movement.

— jeffrey mervis, Science | AAAS, "Got data? Survey of 2017 March for Science doesn’t make the grade," 9 Apr. 2018
The song builds at the beginning with a trumpet sample and Ten’s pitched-down vocal chops.

— caitlin kelley, Billboard, "NCT's Ten Saves the Day on SM Station Track, 'New Heroes'," 6 Apr. 2018
The 26-year-old righty hasn’t made any substantive changes to his repertoire, so this could be no more than a decent two-start sample, but there’s value in nearly all fantasy formats in guys who can be reliable SP5 types.

— michael beller, SI.com, "Reynaldo Lopez Highlights the Waiver Wire," 6 Apr. 2018
Guests will receive a complimentary sample from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Snag some free cold brew Friday at Dunkin' Donuts," 6 Apr. 2018
The group has often been credited with cementing hip-hop’s infatuation with James Brown samples — not that Brown approved.

— james sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "For Eric B. & Rakim, a reunion with rhyme and reason," 5 Apr. 2018
Assistant District Attorney Mary Glass said DNA collected as part of the victim's rape kit in 1994 was matched to a sample taken from Celius that was stored in the federal CODIS database (Combined DNA Index System) in 2005.

— heather nolan, NOLA.com, "Man linked by DNA to a 1994 New Orleans rape case is indicted," 5 Apr. 2018
Some of Houston’s top chefs will provide cooking demonstrations with samples.

— Houston Chronicle, "On the go: Bayou City Cajun Fest and a cool car auction," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sample.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sample

Middle English, from Anglo-French sample, essample, from Latin exemplum — more at example

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

sample Synonyms

Synonyms

case, example, exemplar, illustration, instance, prototype, representative, specimen;

cross section, microcosm;

evidence, indication, manifestation, sign;

Phrases

case in point;

Synonym Discussion of sample

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

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

sample

verb

Definition of sample

sampled; sampling play \ˈsam-p(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to take a sample of or from; especially : to judge the quality of by a sample : test

sampled his output for defects

sample a wine

2 : to use a segment of (recorded music, sounds, or dialogue from another source) as part of one's own musical composition or recording

A Josh Wink record takes a series of sampled noises, then twists and warps them through a barrage of sound processors …
—Frank Broughton

: to use a sample (see ¹sample 3) from (another recording or performer)

… claims Carey sampled his hit "I Want to Thank You" on her 1992 song "Make It Happen."
—Jancee Dunn

See sample defined for English-language learners

Examples of sample in a Sentence

She sampled everything the resort had to offer, from golfing to yoga.
A low percentage of the women sampled said that they smoked during pregnancy.
Five of the 20 schools sampled did not meet the standards.

Recent Examples of sample from the Web

At the end of the day, six judges sampled 38 different cupcakes and narrowed down the field to eight teams that will compete in the finals on April 26.

— steve smith, Courant Community, "'Cupcake War' Begins At RHS," 11 Apr. 2018
There’s nothing wrong with media companies sampling their audiences to determine average income or age or voting preferences; market research has been a staple of advertising for decades.

— david dayen, The New Republic, "Ban Targeted Advertising," 10 Apr. 2018
Everything from Roman antipasti and fried calamari to gelato and pizzelle can be sampled at A Taste of Italy, which returns to the Italian Community Center in the Third Ward on April 22.

— carol deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Italian Community Center offers A Taste of Italy on April 22," 9 Apr. 2018
He and his cast sampled the Mexican staple everywhere from the Yucatán to Copenhagen.

— alexandra wolfe, WSJ, "David Chang’s Culinary Mash-Ups," 6 Apr. 2018
In addition to the chef-prepared dishes, Chef fest attendees sampled craft beers by Southern Star, Spindletap and St. Arnolds breweries.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Chef Fest dishes up $4,000 for area charities," 4 Apr. 2018
Earthly bacteria have routinely been sampled up to 25 miles high, swept aloft by winds and surviving perfectly well in the wet, comparatively temperate conditions at those altitudes.

— jeffrey kluger, Time, "Researchers Say Venus' Atmosphere Could Support Extraterrestrial Life," 2 Apr. 2018
On the lunch side, visitors can sample the Tuscan ($7.99), with fresh mozzarella, tomato, baby romaine lettuce, and a choice of basil pesto or balsamic glaze (prosciutto can be added for $1.35).

— rachel lebeaux, BostonGlobe.com, "Wicked Bagel delivers a New York-Style classic," 23 Mar. 2018
This year, burgers, tacos, and cocktails from 50-plus contenders will be sampled and judged for the event, whose proceeds benefit the School District of Philadelphia.

— michael klein, Philly.com, "Burger Brawl coming in June for Year 8," 19 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of sample

1767

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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sample Synonyms

Synonyms

test, try (out);

resample, retest;

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

sample

adjective

Definition of sample

: serving as an illustration or example

sample questions

See sample defined for English-language learners

Examples of sample in a Sentence

The teacher handed out a sample essay.
Here are some sample questions for the test.

Recent Examples of sample from the Web

While in Zoar, take a tour of town, sample German-style meatloaf at the Canal Tavern or go antiquing at the Cobbler Shop Bed & Breakfast.

— lauren johnson and jesse sparks, Smithsonian, "The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2017," 2 May 2017
Sample headlines: What equality really means: An Asian-American take on affirmative action to ‘

— megan schellong, USA TODAY College, "Check out these 5 student digital media orgs with campus editions," 24 Aug. 2017
Sample beers from around Ohio, live music, and food trucks.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week: Aug. 15-20," 15 Aug. 2017
Language English English Font Size Small Small Medium Large Position Auto Bottom Top Sample Caption Text Mute Current Time 0:00 Duration Time 0:00 12 Things Fashion People Literally Think (Literally)

— erika harwood, vanityfair.com, "The BoF 500 Gala Is Coming to New York Fashion Week," 10 Aug. 2017
Sample food from Philly’s vegan restaurants and enjoy beer, spirits, and live music.

— staff reports, Philly.com, "Trike racing, Peach Music Fest, and more to to do in and around Philadelphia," 9 Aug. 2017
Sample wares from some of Orland Park's finest restaurants.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "5 things to do this weekend," 31 July 2017
Sample hundreds of beers from 100+ Hoosier breweries and guests at the Brewers of Indiana Guild's 22nd annual summer fundraiser Saturday July 29 3 -7 p.m. at Military Park.

— Indianapolis Star, "Indiana Microbrewers Festival," 12 July 2017
Sample tastes will be given out as well at Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Fun places to eat and drink in New Orleans, June 7 to 13," 6 June 2017

First Known Use of sample

1820

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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SAMPLE Defined for English Language Learners

sample

noun

Definition of sample for English Language Learners

: a small amount of something that gives you information about the thing it was taken from
: a small amount of something that is given to people to try
: a group of people or things that are taken from a larger group and studied, tested, or questioned to get information

sample

verb

Definition of sample for English Language Learners

: to taste a small amount of (something)
: to try or experience (something)
: to test, study, or question (a group of people or things taken from a larger group) to get information

sample

adjective

Definition of sample for English Language Learners

: used as an example of something

SAMPLE Defined for Kids

sample

noun sam·ple \ ˈsam-pəl \

Definition of sample for Students

1 : a part or piece that shows the quality or character of the whole

A water sample was taken to test for purity.

2 : a small amount of something that is given to people to try

sample

verb

Definition of sample for Students

sampled; sampling

: to judge the quality or character of by trying or examining a small part or amount

We sampled the store's cheese.

Medical Dictionary

sample

noun sam·ple \ ˈsam-pəl \

medical Definition of sample

1 : a representative part or a single item from a larger whole or group especially when presented for inspection or shown as evidence of quality : specimen