Sample: meaning, definitions and examples

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sample

 

[หˆsษ‘หmpษ™l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

general

A small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like.

Synonyms

example, model, specimen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sample

Use 'sample' when referring to a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like. This is common in scientific, culinary, and marketing settings.

  • The researcher collected a water sample for testing
  • The store is offering free samples of the new product
specimen

Use 'specimen' when referring to an individual or item taken as an example of a whole group, typically in scientific, medical, or biological contexts.

  • The scientists examined the specimen under the microscope
  • The museum displayed a rare dinosaur specimen
example

Use 'example' when you want to illustrate a general rule or concept with something specific. It is often used in educational and explanatory contexts.

  • Can you provide an example of how this equation works? She cited several examples to support her argument
model

Use 'model' for representing a system or object, often in a simplified or scaled form. This is frequent in scientific, educational, and engineering contexts.

  • This model of the solar system helps students understand planetary motion
  • She built a model airplane as a hobby

Examples of usage

  • A sample of the new fabric
  • Samples of food were distributed among the crowd
Context #2 | Noun

scientific

A small part or quantity of something that is intended to show what the rest is like.

Synonyms

example, model, specimen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sample

This word is often used when referring to a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like. It's common in contexts like research, marketing, and product testing.

  • The chemist analyzed a sample of the water.
  • Could you provide a sample of your writing?
specimen

Used primarily in scientific and medical contexts to refer to an individual sample taken for study, examination, or display. It can sometimes carry a clinical or formal tone.

  • The doctor collected a blood specimen for testing.
  • We have a specimen of the rare butterfly in our collection.
example

This word is used to illustrate or clarify a point, concept, or instruction. It's often used in educational and explanatory settings.

  • Let me give you an example of how this equation works.
  • She set a good example for the rest of the team.
model

This word often refers to a scaled or non-functional representation of something or someone which serves as a pattern or representation. It's frequently used in contexts like art, architecture, and business.

  • The architect showed us a model of the new building.
  • He is a role model for young athletes.

Examples of usage

  • Samples of blood were taken for analysis
  • The soil samples were sent to the laboratory for testing
Context #3 | Verb

general

Take a sample or samples of something for analysis.

Synonyms

analyze, examine, test.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sample

Used when referring to taking a small part or quantity from something to look at it more closely or to try it out.

  • The scientist took a sample of the water to test for contamination.
  • Would you like to sample this new flavor of ice cream?
test

Used when conducting an experiment or a procedure to evaluate the qualities, performance, or reliability of something, especially in scientific or technical contexts.

  • The engineers are going to test the new software for bugs.
  • She needs to test her new hypothesis.
analyze

Commonly used in academic, technical, or professional settings when talking about studying something in detail to understand it.

  • We need to analyze the data from the survey to understand customer preferences.
  • She spent hours analyzing the financial reports.
examine

Often used when inspecting something closely and carefully to learn more about it. Can be applied in both medical and investigative contexts.

  • The doctor will examine you to determine the cause of the pain.
  • Please examine the documents before signing.

Examples of usage

  • The water is sampled at least monthly
  • We need to sample different varieties of wine

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Old French 'essample', which means 'example' or 'model'.
  • It was adopted into English in the 14th century, indicating something taken as a representational part.
  • The Latin root 'exemplum' also has ties to the idea of providing an example for others.

Science

  • In scientific research, a sample is often used to infer characteristics of a larger population with less effort.
  • Sampling techniques, like random sampling, help ensure results are valid and avoid bias.
  • Quality control in manufacturing often involves sampling products to ensure they meet standards before shipment.

Music

  • In music production, sampling is when artists use bits of existing songs to create new works, blending different sounds.
  • Notable songs have been built using samples, showcasing creativity and innovation in the industry.
  • The practice has sparked discussions about copyright, ownership, and the original creator's rights.

Business

  • Businesses often use market samples to gauge customer preferences before launching new products.
  • Promotional samples are common, such as giving away free product samples to entice customers.
  • Customer feedback on samples can greatly influence future product development choices.

Literature

  • In literature, a sample chapter can provide readers with a preview of a book, enticing them to read more.
  • Publishing companies often rely on sample excerpts to market their latest novels to determine reader interest.
  • Famous authors sometimes share sample pages to engage with their audience before a book's release.

Translations

Translations of the word "sample" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น amostra

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฎเฅ‚เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Probe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ contoh

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทั€ะฐะทะพะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ prรณbka

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ตใƒณใƒ—ใƒซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท รฉchantillon

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ muestra

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รถrnek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ƒ˜ํ”Œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนูŠู†ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vzorek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vzorka

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ ทๆœฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ vzorec

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sรฝnishorn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฏะปะณั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒœแƒ˜แƒ›แƒฃแƒจแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nรผmunษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ muestra

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,039, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.