sampling

noun

sam·​pling ˈsam-pliŋ 

for senses 1 & 3

-p(ə-)liŋ 

1

: the act, process, or technique of selecting a suitable sample

specifically : the act, process, or technique of selecting a representative part of a population for the purpose of determining parameters or characteristics of the whole population

2

: a small part selected as a sample for inspection or analysis

ask a sampling of people which candidate they favor

3

: the introduction or promotion of a product by distributing trial packages of it

Synonyms

• cross section
• sample
• sampler
• selection
• slice

Examples of sampling in a Sentence

The reporter asked a sampling of people about their eating habits.

a sampling of the menu's entrées

We were given a sampling of the food.

The band does a lot of sampling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Each educational class includes a lecture and hands-on cooking with samplings. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025

Final radiation surveys, soil sampling and analysis will be performed to ensure the land meets federal and state clean-up goals before the job is complete, the release said. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

To create their random number, the researcher used a technique called random circuit sampling. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

But many sharks and rays face a slew of conservation challenges, and researchers are now reconsidering the ethical and ecological implications of this lethal sampling method. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sampling

• chorionic villus sampling

Rhymes for sampling

• trampling
• resampling
• subsampling

Medical Definition

sampling

noun

sam·​pling ˈsam-pliŋ 

1

: the act, process, or technique of selecting a suitable sample

specifically : the act, process, or technique of selecting a representative part of a population for the purpose of determining parameters or characteristics of the whole population

2

: sample

obtain a sampling of urine