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

The Orange Blossoms Auxiliary of Assistance League of Orange is presenting the annual event from 3 to 7 p.m. at 124 S. Orange St., in Orange. Taste of Orange will feature samplings of food, beer, and wine from top local restaurants, plus drawings, live entertainment and more. —Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025

Negative sampling intentionally introduces incorrect, misleading or adversarial examples, which helps bots develop a stronger filtering mechanism. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

Biggs said as part of the Homewood’s municipal separate storm sewer systems program, the village plans to undertake a sampling protocol for the pond, and the Illinois EPA has worked with the village to address questions about the sample and a sampling protocol going forward. —Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025

The touch sampling rate reaches 240Hz, which is also helpful for gameplay. —PCMAG, 20 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