sample // samples, sampling, sampled
1 A sample of a substance or product is a small quantity of it that
shows
COUNT N
you what it is like.
...free samples of shampoo.
2 A sample of a substance is also a small amount of it that is examined
COUNT N
and analysed scientifically.
I'll take water samples here and in East Hampton.
3 A sample of people or things is a number of them chosen out of a
larger COUNT
N
group and then used in tests or used to provide information about the
whole group.
...a random sample of 10,000 adult civilians.
4 If you sample food or drink, you taste a small amount of it in order
to
VB WITH OBJ
find out if you like it.
Next he sampled the roast beef.
5 If you sample a place or situation, you experience it for a short
time
VB WITH OBJ
in order to find out about it.
They can learn the language and sample the British way of life.