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

In recent years, response rates to the monthly government surveys of employers and households that form the basis of the jobs report have dropped; the figures are also subject to random sampling error and subsequent revisions as fresh data come in. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

By connecting these functions early, brands cut time-to-market, eliminate costly sampling cycles and align design decisions with both market demand and sustainability goals. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025

Scientists with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Suncoast Waterkeeper recently began the advanced sampling to pinpoint percentages of fecal indicator bacteria sources around the Palma Sola Causeway. —Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025

Most of this is based on statistical sampling of a subset of data collected by the crudest of means. —Vipin Bharathan, Forbes.com, 31 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