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 survey was produced for ABC News by Langer Research Associates, with sampling and data collection by Ipsos. —Gary Langer, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024

In fact, all of my tinkering and sampling ended up just confirming the original specs and brands. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024

The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. —Margaret Talev, Axios, 2 Nov. 2024

As just one example within marine science, the emerging study of e-DNA shows tremendous promise for understanding marine ecosystems and species migration without relying on visual sightings or more disruptive sampling methods. —Klaus Schwab, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sampling

• chorionic villus sampling

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