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Added 9 October 2026

sample

/ˈsɑːm.pəl/ noun

In Latin: exemplum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about sample at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A part or snippet of something taken or presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen.
a blood sample
A subset or portion of a population that is systematically selected for measurement, observation, or questioning, with the objective of generating statistical information that accurately reflects the characteristics of the entire population.
Large samples are generally more reliable than small samples due to having less variability.
A small quantity of food for tasting, typically given away for free.

verb

To take or to test a sample or samples of.
To reduce a continuous signal (such as a sound wave) to a discrete signal.
To reuse a portion of (an existing sound recording) in a new piece of music.

Origin

Inherited from Middle English saumple, sample, from Old French essample (“example”), from Latin exemplum. Doublet of example and exemplum.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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