sampling

American  

[sam-pling, sahm-] / ˈsæm plɪŋ, ˈsɑm- /

noun

1. the act or process of selecting a sample for testing, analyzing, etc.

2. the sample so selected.

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sampling British  

/ ˈsɑːmplɪŋ /

noun

1. the process of selecting a random sample

2. a variant of sample

3. the process of taking a short extract from (a record) and mixing it into a different backing track

4. a process in which a continuous electrical signal is approximately represented by a series of discrete values, usually regularly spaced

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Etymology

Origin of sampling

First recorded in 1630–40; sample + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The chip already has entered the customer sampling process, with production slated for later this year.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

The bill requires the California Environmental Protection Agency to develop minimum sampling, testing and chemical screening levels by June 30, 2027.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Here is a sampling of this week’s coverage from MarketWatch’s technology team:

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

The team spent three years sampling 62 different locations on nine rivers across Wales, trying to establish how the pesticides used in flea treatments - imidacloprid and fipronil - were reaching waterways.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

“Fly to Seattle and talk with the Rosen people. Have them supply you a representative sampling of types employing the new Nexus-6 unit.”

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Related Words

• detail
• example
• item
• occasion
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• reason