# sampling

/ˈsæmpɫɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈɑːmplɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sampling
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. testing a small part

noun · CEFR B2

the process of taking a small amount of something to see what the whole thing is like.

For teachers: the process or technique of obtaining a representative sample for analysis or testing.

- The water company does regular sampling of the lake to make sure it is safe for swimming.
- Environmental scientists conducted extensive sampling of the soil across the industrial site to determine the extent of the chemical contamination.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general process.

### 2. statistics

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

choosing a small group of people or things to represent a much larger group.

For teachers: the selection of a subset of individuals from within a statistical population to estimate characteristics of the whole.

- The researchers used random sampling to pick people for the survey.
- To ensure the validity of the study, the team employed stratified sampling to account for the diverse demographics within the urban population.

Usage: Commonly used in phrases like 'random sampling' or 'representative sampling'.

### 3. music

noun · CEFR B2

taking a piece of an old song and using it in a new piece of music.

For teachers: the electronic reuse of portions of previously recorded sound as a structural or decorative element in a new composition.

- Modern hip-hop often uses sampling to pay tribute to classic soul records.
- The producer's clever sampling of a 1970s jazz riff provided the rhythmic foundation for the entire electronic track.

### 4. digital conversion

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

measuring a sound wave many times a second to turn it into a digital file.

For teachers: the measurement of the amplitude of a varying waveform at regular intervals to convert it into digital form.

- A higher sampling rate usually means the digital audio will sound much clearer.
- The fidelity of the recording depends heavily on the sampling frequency used during the initial analog-to-digital conversion process.

Usage: Often appears in the context of 'sampling rate'.

## Examples

- The store offers a free sampling of their new cheeses.
- Researchers used random sampling to ensure the survey results accurately reflected the opinions of the entire city.
- The producer's creative sampling of 1970s soul records transformed the track into a nostalgic yet modern anthem that topped the charts for weeks.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.