sampling

1 of 2

noun

sam·​pling ˈsam-pliŋ How to pronounce sampling (audio)
for senses 1 & 3
-p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce sampling (audio)
Synonyms of samplingnext
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

sampling

2 of 2

present participle of sample entry 2

Synonyms of sampling

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of sampling in a Sentence

Noun 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.
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Noun
Jason Ulseth, riverkeeper and executive director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, said recent sampling found contamination in the Chattahoochee River. — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 To his point, expanding size ranges does involve investment in pattern-making, grading, sampling, production, and inventory planning. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026 The mass sampling and real-time information gathering on prediction markets can extend their utility to informing business decisions, according to Zitzewitz. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026 There was more product testing, sampling, and smelling, and gaming moments to be had from the 2026 Best of Beauty Awards winners—not to mention VIP-level gift bags valued at over $850. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sampling

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sampling was in 1778

Phrases Containing sampling

Rhymes for sampling

See All Rhymes for sampling

Browse Nearby Words

sample space
sampling
sampling distribution
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Cite this Entry

“Sampling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sampling. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

sampling

noun
sam·​pling ˈsam-pliŋ How to pronounce sampling (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on sampling

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sampling

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