samplesam·ple1 /ˈsɑːmpəlˈsæm-/ noun [countableC]1a number of people or things chosen from a large group to take part in studies that provide information about the whole groupsample ofOf a sample of executives in 600 companies, 15% had no plans to do business in the EU.
The survey was based on a random sample (=a number of people or things chosen without knowing anything about them) of households from all income groups.
The agency interviewed a representative sample (=a specially chosen group including several different types of people) of 1,003 people in the city.
→ quota sample2MARKETINGa small amount of a product that people can use or look at in order to find out what it is likeHe used the product after receiving a free sample in the mail.
We were shown some sample pages for the new book.
3a small part or amount of something that is tested in order to find out something about the wholesample ofA sample of the water showed that it contained high amounts of sodium.
→ judgement sample