1 a number of people or things taken from a larger group and used in tests to provide information about the group:
The interviews were given to a random sample of students. * The survey covers a representative sample of schools. * a sample survey
2 a small amount of a substance taken from a larger amount and tested in order to obtain information about the substance:
a blood sample * Samples of the water contained pesticide.
3 a small amount or example of sth that can be looked at or tried to see what it is like:
'I'd like to see a sample of your work,' said the manager. * a free sample of shampoo * sample exam papers * Would you like a sample of the fabric to take home?
verb [VN]
1 to try a small amount of a particular food to see what it is like; to experience sth for a short time to see what it is like:
I sampled the delights of Greek cooking for the first time.
2 (technical) to test, question, etc., part of sth or of a group of people in order to find out what the rest is like:
12% of the children sampled said they prefer cats to dogs.
3 (technical) to record part of a piece of music, or a sound, in order to use it in a new piece of music
