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

Some of the money goes to local fishing guides for water sampling and other work, according to FWC. —Curt Anderson, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025

Full certainty might require drill sampling and fire assays. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

Enjoy exclusive barrel samplings and bottled wine tastings from more than 20 Livermore Valley wineries, including Darcie Kent Estate Winery, 3 Steves and Pruett Farms, plus live music and a chance to chat with winemakers and fellow wine lovers. —Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025

The stabilization system is good enough to support multi-shot sampling too, the S1R II is able to capture several images in rapid succession, shifting the sensor slightly between each, in order to sample every color channel. —Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 25 Feb. 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