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

cross section, sampler, sampling, selection, slice

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

But only one sample, from Saturday, had levels of benzene considered to be unsafe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. — Juan A. Lozano, The Seattle Times, "Environmental, economic damage a concern now that fire out," 26 Mar. 2019 The agency’s staff took a series of environmental samples... — Laurence Norman, WSJ, "U.N. Watchdog Inspects a Site Flagged as Suspicious by Israelis—but Possibly Too Late," 4 Apr. 2019 The Apollo missions brought back a whole lot of rock samples, and scientists have been methodically analyzing them ever since. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Earth's Oldest Known Rock Was Found on the Moon," 25 Jan. 2019 The goal is to expose the asteroid beneath the surface so the Hayabusa can collect some underground samples. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Watch the Hayabusa Spacecraft Blow Up an Asteroid Tonight," 4 Apr. 2019 Presumably, taking high-definition images and GoPro video of the exterior of the leak site and collecting samples of resin or other materials there will help the Russians determine what had caused the hole initially. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Russian cosmonauts spend nearly eight hours cutting into their spacecraft," 12 Dec. 2018 Hayabusa2 is also scheduled to attempt three brief touch-and-go landings on the asteroid to collect samples in hopes of providing clues to the origin of the solar system and life on Earth. — Fox News, "Japan space rovers lowered to asteroid to collect data," 21 Sep. 2018 The International Committee of the Red Cross has begun collecting samples of saliva from relatives to identify bodies. — The Economist, "NGOs in Lebanon want to dig up mass graves from the civil war," 5 July 2018 The InSight Roadshow has been touring California since May to explain how the lander will collect samples by going deep into the surface of the planet. — Mary Forgione, latimes.com, "Take a trip to Mars with a visit to NASA's InSight Roadshow," 29 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

That is, of course, assuming that the database randomly samples the population. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Chances DNA can be used to find your family? Sixty percent and rising," 11 Oct. 2018 The company will let players sample submarines for the first time as part of a temporary Halloween gag, where ships and subs take on spooky themes. — Gordon Mah Ung, PCWorld, "World of Warships dives deep for new players, adding submarines to popular naval combat game," 18 Sep. 2018 After sampling and tea drinking are done, the productive two hours will end with goodies to go: fresh herbs, potted plants, Lauer’s personal tea recipes and about a dozen tea bags. — Ginger Brashinger, Daily Southtown, "Learn how to grow, pick and blend your own tea herbs during Palos Park workshop," 27 June 2018 Drilling beneath the surface, rather than sampling what was on top like Viking did, also helped. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "NASA's Curiosity rover finds organic matter on Mars," 7 June 2018 As the temperatures in the California desert climb near 100 degrees, Goldsmith and his parents stick close to the shade of Guy’s Stagecoach Smokehouse, sampling the offerings, waiting — unbeknownst to him — to meet and cook with his idol. — Gerrad Hall, EW.com, "Watch Guy Fieri surprise super fan who won Chopped Junior and beat cancer three times," 10 May 2018 Rodríguez discovered that about one-third of the people sampled in Guerrero, the Pacific coastal state that lies nearly 2000 kilometers south of the U.S. border, also had up to 10% Asian ancestry, significantly more than most Mexicans. — Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, "Latin America’s lost histories revealed in modern DNA," 12 Apr. 2018 The gala portion of the night had partygoers sampling their way through food from 46 restaurants or caterers including Carrollton Market, Clancy's, Vincent's Italian Cuisine, Drago's, Nirvana, and Catering by Laura Arrowood. — Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, "Sugarplum Ball transforms into a Grecian Gala for Children's Hospital," 28 Mar. 2018 As reporter Kate Aronoff noted, King himself discourages listeners from overspending for automobiles in the very same sermon Ram sampled. — Josh Hafner, USA TODAY, "People are hating the Ram Super Bowl ad using MLK's speech. This is why.," 4 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Participants sample five wines from prestigious appellations while nibbling small bites. — Condé Nast Traveler, "20 Best Food Tours in Paris," 3 Mar. 2018 Guests sample 5 rare sour & funky beers from Rhinegeist cellars, including newest sour ale of dark descent. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do in Cincinnati this week: June 18-24," 18 June 2018 Though not sample size, Dixon is neither a waif or a plus-size bombshell. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Miu Miu’s Newest Beauty Is a Rule-Breaking Nerd From Florida," 7 Mar. 2018 Guests sample Greek food at a previous ethnic food event put on by the Aurora Historical Society. — Joy Davis, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora event to celebrate city's ethnic food traditions," 19 Apr. 2018 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

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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Dictionary Entries near sample

Statistics for sample

Last Updated

10 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for sample

The first known use of sample was in the 15th century

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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