Sample
/ˈsæmpl/
Definitions
2 meaningsA portion or piece taken or shown as an example of the whole.
/ˈsæmpl/
A small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like.
The scientist examined the soil sample under a microscope.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at an ice cream shop. They let you try a little scoop of a flavor before you buy a whole cone. That tiny scoop is a sample!
👶 For kids: A tiny piece that shows you what the big piece is like.
More Examples
The store provided free samples of the new perfume.
Can I see a sample of your work?
How It's Used
"Researchers collected a blood sample for analysis."
"The supermarket offered free food samples."
To take or test a sample of.
/ˈsæmpl/
To take a sample of something.
The researchers sampled the river water for pollution.
💡 Simply: Like you're checking a cake by taking a tiny piece to try before you eat the whole thing. You are sampling!
👶 For kids: To take a tiny bit of something to check it.
More Examples
The food critic sampled each dish before providing a review.
The musician sampled the song for his new album.
How It's Used
"The scientists sampled water from different locations."
"The DJ sampled the drum beat from an old record."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
sample size
The number of individuals or items included in a sample.
"A large sample size is needed to ensure statistically significant results."
From Middle French *essample* (example), from Latin *exemplum* ('example, pattern').
Historically used in legal and religious contexts referring to an example or instance; the verb form emerged later to describe the act of taking a portion.
Memory tip
Think of a small bite of food offered at a store – it's a sample of the larger product.