Sample: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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

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

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.