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

• cross section
• sample
• sampler
• selection
• slice

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

Air sampling at each location will be performed over an 11-day period. —Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025

Authorities announced her identification in 2023, after using new DNA sampling. —Aja Romano, Vox, 10 Apr. 2025

The event will feature samplings of food, desserts and drinks from many local restaurants, live music, pop-up booths, drawings, photo booths and more. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

Here's a sampling of screenings and events to check out. —Martin Vassolo, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025

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