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

• 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

Here’s a sampling of places within several miles of Saint John’s Resort and The Cardinal golf course. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Researchers believe that this work will inspire further re-analysis of legacy materials, especially those held in museum collections where sampling is limited and earlier tests proved inconclusive. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 10 Aug. 2025

Outside of the sit-down experience, an abundance of street foods and convenience store offerings (chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain was a huge fan of the egg sandwich from Lawson’s) ensures that solo travelers can get delicious samplings with ease. —Road Trips, AFAR Media, 6 Aug. 2025

Editor's note: This is not a definitive list of the best or most elaborate desserts in the city, rather a sampling of what Louisville's culinary scene has to offer. —Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 6 Aug. 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