sample

¹sam·ple

noun \ˈsam-pəl\

Definition of SAMPLE

1

: a representative part or a single item from a larger whole or group especially when presented for inspection or shown as evidence of quality : specimen

2

: a finite part of a statistical population whose properties are studied to gain information about the whole

3

: an excerpt from a musical recording that is used in another artist's recording

Examples of SAMPLE

1. We would like to see a sample of your work.
2. I tasted a sample of the new cereal.
3. Free samples were handed out at the store.
4. The sample included 96 women over the age of 40.
5. A random sample of people filled out the survey.
6. We looked at a representative sample of public schools.

Origin of SAMPLE

Middle English, from Anglo-French sample, essample, from Latin exemplum — more at example

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SAMPLE

Synonyms: cross section, sampler, sampling, selection, slice

Related Words: case, example, exemplar, exemplification, illustration, instance, representative, specimen; archetype, classic, locus classicus, paradigm, prototype; microcosm

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at instance

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

Rhymes with SAMPLE

ample, trample