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 of sampling

• 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

There are far too many places to list individually, but here’s a sampling of what’s on offer. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

Here is a sampling of things to do in the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles area. —Holly Andres, Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026

Chirinos also questioned other recent polls placing Rodríguez’s support between 25% and 28%, suggesting some may rely on flawed sampling methods. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026

In a sampling of six of those states by KFF Health News, fewer than 1 in 4 adults on Medicaid see a dentist at least once a year. —Phil Galewitz, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

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