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

That evolution and commitment to clear storytelling is visible in a sampling of some of Proper Cloth’s most recent offerings. —Darryn King, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

The scientists—who conduct genetic sampling of endangered salmon to check the species’ stock status and survival—routinely work with chemicals that can burn skin, erupt into flames, and cause cancer. —Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2025

An unofficial sampling of the jerseys in the crowd suggested a ratio of about one Chapman jersey for each bobblehead. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025

This is just a sampling of violations that led the state to temporarily close 10 South Florida restaurants last week — six in Broward and four in Palm Beach County. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 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