Dictionary

1sample

noun sam·ple \ˈsam-pəl\

: a small amount of something that gives you information about the thing it was taken from

: a small amount of something that is given to people to try

: a group of people or things that are taken from a larger group and studied, tested, or questioned to get information

Full 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
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Origin of SAMPLE

Middle English, from Anglo-French sample, essample, from Latin exemplum — more at example
First Known Use: 15th century

Synonym Discussion of SAMPLE

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain <an instance of history repeating itself>. case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with <a case of mistaken identity>. illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement <a telling illustration of Murphy's Law>. example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case <a typical example of bureaucratic waste>. sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities <show us a sample of your work>. specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available <one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art>.

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

Rhymes with SAMPLE

2sample

transitive verb

: to taste a small amount of (something)

: to try or experience (something)

: to test, study, or question (a group of people or things taken from a larger group) to get information

sam·pledsam·pling \-p(ə-)liŋ\

Full Definition of SAMPLE

1
:  to take a sample of or from; especially :  to judge the quality of by a sample :  test <sampled his output for defects> <sample a wine>
2
:  to use a segment of (another's musical recording) as part of one's own recording

First Known Use of SAMPLE

1767

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

3sample

adjective

: used as an example of something

Full Definition of SAMPLE

:  serving as an illustration or example <sample questions>

First Known Use of SAMPLE

1820
SAMPLE Defined for Kids

1sample

noun sam·ple \ˈsam-pəl\

Definition of SAMPLE for Kids

1
:  a part or piece that shows the quality or character of the whole <A water sample was taken to test for purity.>
2
:  a small amount of something that is given to people to try

2sample

verb
sam·pledsam·pling

Definition of SAMPLE for Kids

:  to judge the quality or character of by trying or examining a small part or amount <We sampled the store's cheese.>
Medical Dictionary

sample

noun sam·ple \ˈsam-pəl\

Medical 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 <a blood sample>
2
:  a finite part of a statistical population whose properties are studied to gain information about the whole

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