sample

noun

sam·ple | \ ˈsam-pəl

Definition of sample

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

sample

verb

sampled; sampling\ ˈsam-p(ə-)liŋ

Definition of sample (Entry 2 of 3)

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 sample entry 1 sense 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

sample

adjective

Definition of sample (Entry 3 of 3)

: serving as an illustration or example sample questions

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about sample

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Synonyms for sample

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

test,
try (out)

Choose the Right Synonym for sample

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

Examples of sample in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Louisville has shown growth in its three-game sample size thus far, like keeping its total turnover count to 11 against Prairie View after amassing seven miscues in the first half. — Shannon Russell, The Courier-Journal, "In a clash between Louisville and Western Kentucky, rebounding could be the key," 4 Apr. 2021 That study had a small sample size of 44 patients, and while statistically significant, the portion who improved wasn't very large. — Ryan Prior, CNN, "Some Covid-19 long haulers say vaccines may be relieving their symptoms. Researchers are looking into it," 3 Apr. 2021 It’s a small sample size, but a positive development nonetheless. — Omari Sankofa Ii, Detroit Free Press, "New York Knicks blow out Detroit Pistons, 125-81, in Killian Hayes' return," 3 Apr. 2021 Is that enough of a sample size for Saban to know which of the early enrollees will sink and which will swim? — Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, "What Saban said can surprise him about a freshman’s first scrimmage," 31 Mar. 2021 But with just a small sample size last year, there really isn't the experience a full season would bring. — Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, "'Be grateful for what you have': Tolleson baseball players unite through COVID struggles, tragedy to find way back on field," 24 Mar. 2021 The Walker, Brown, Tatum, Smart, Williams unit has been on the floor for just 14 minutes this season and it was outscored by 36.5 points per 100 possessions, but that is a miniscule sample size. — BostonGlobe.com, "Where do the Celtics go from here? Here are three potential paths," 20 Mar. 2021 This clearly limits the scope of the research, as do variations in sample size across regions, lower market cap and liquidity for renewable companies. — Felicia Jackson, Forbes, "Global Renewables Investment Return 7 Times Higher Than Fossil Fuels," 19 Mar. 2021 That discrepancy could be explained, in part, by the small sample size of the Tribune’s respondents. — Sean P. Means, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utahns find the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine can bring harsher side effects," 19 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Attendees can sample from more than 50 flavors of hard seltzer while walking around Oak Hills Golf Course, 10360 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek, according to a news release. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A festival dedicated to hard seltzers is coming to a Milwaukee-area golf course," 30 Mar. 2021 To shape its eerie world, songs on House of Balloons sample the likes of Cocteau Twins, Aaliyah, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. — Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, "The Weeknd’s ‘The Party & the After Party’ Paved the Way for our Genre-less Future," 22 Mar. 2021 Visitors can sample foods from Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Cuba and other nations in booths spread across the park. — Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "Universal extends Mardi Gras celebration by 2 weeks," 11 Mar. 2021 Now sample the coverage of the suit’s brusque dismissal by a New York state Supreme Court judge. — Washington Post, "Opinion: Judge tosses absurd Trump campaign lawsuit against the New York Times," 10 Mar. 2021 Because not every case is sequenced, public health officials and researchers sample a subset of cases to determine the prevalence of variants. — oregonlive, "Limited data, vaccine concerns: COVID-19 variants and what they mean for Oregon," 10 Mar. 2021 To sample its stock, visit Henderson & Kane, Yellow Cup Coffee, Monkey’s Tail Bar and other area joints. — Joanna O'leary, Chron, "Texas' best kombucha-makers are ready for spring," 2 Mar. 2021 Perry Mason prequel will sample this new Easy Rawlins show. — Scott Mendelson, Forbes, "Easy Rawlins TV Show May Succeed Where Denzel Washington’s ‘Devil In A Blue Dress’ Stumbled," 24 Feb. 2021 For the first time ever, two microphones aboard the spacecraft—the Entry Descent and Landing Cam microphone and the SuperCam Microphone—will sample Mars' sonic landscape. — Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, "We’ve Never Heard What Mars Sounds Like. Percy Will Change That.," 18 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Here’s a sample Mediterranean diet meal plan for a day, which fits a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet and is around the range of those flexible Mediterranean diet macros mentioned above. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, "What Is the Mediterranean Diet? Dietitians Explain How to Follow This Healthy Eating Plan," 22 Oct. 2020 Even university researchers have been taking an interest in the matter — consider this Cornell University project to re-sample photos of renowned landmarks into 4-D glory. — Payal Dhar, Washington Post, "Can gaming satisfy our pandemic thirst for travel and adventure?," 3 Sep. 2020 His growing children dabble in journalism and sample European culture. — Sara Georgini, Smithsonian Magazine, "The American Scion Who Secured British Neutrality in the U.S. Civil War," 16 Jan. 2020 Verizon's Young went on to add: Sites such as Downdetector.com utilize limited crowdsourced data drawn from sample social posts which are often statistically insignificant or factually incorrect. — Josh Rivera, USA TODAY, "Issues with T-Mobile, Verizon or AT&T today? It may just be T-Mobile.," 15 June 2020 Shi is planning a national project to systematically sample viruses in bat caves—with much greater scope and intensity than her team’s previous attempts. — Jane Qiu, Scientific American, "How China’s “Bat Woman” Hunted Down Viruses from SARS to the New Coronavirus," 11 Mar. 2020 Other events throughout the day include sample German lessons, fairy tale movie screenings and a dance party to close the night. — Washington Post, "13 things to do in the D.C. area this week," 4 Nov. 2019 This is the second time each pitcher is facing the opposing team so sample sizes are too small to gauge splits. — Chris Wassel, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "Miami Marlins at San Francisco Giants odds, picks and betting tips," 13 Sep. 2019 Operators can use data collected up to five years prior to drilling rather than sample water wells to establish baseline water quality. — Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, "Colorado toughened up its oil and gas rules. But how tough are they?," 11 Aug. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

6 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Sample.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sample. Accessed 18 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for sample

sample

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sample

(Entry 1 of 3)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of sample (Entry 2 of 3)

: to taste a small amount of (something)

: to try or experience (something)

technical : to test, study, or question (a group of people or things taken from a larger group) to get information

sample

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of sample (Entry 3 of 3)

: used as an example of something

See the full definition for sample in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sample

noun

sam·ple | \ ˈsam-pəl

Kids Definition of sample

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

sampled; sampling

Kids Definition of sample (Entry 2 of 2)

: to judge the quality or character of by trying or examining a small part or amount We sampled the store's cheese.

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 a blood sample

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

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