noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: from gerund of sample (II)
1.
a. : an act or instance of obtaining a sample
improved technic … for blood sampling — advt
the purpose of sampling is to determine the average mineral values in the deposit — J.D.Forrester
b. : assessment of the quality or character of a whole by examination of a sample : testing
periodic sampling of the stored grain is necessary to be sure it is not molding
c. : personal investigation : trial
experimental sampling , as with edibles, … played a part in the transformation of our material environment — Lewis Mumford
2. : sample
those who would like to find out what the French do in commerce and industry can get complete samplings at the … fair — New York Times
this inventory is far from complete, but it is an adequate sampling — Abram Kardiner
ask a sampling of people why they didn't buy one client's product — Vance Packard
3. : the introduction of a product or promotion of its sale by distributing at no cost or at a reduced price a trial package in regular or specially designed smaller size
4. : the act, process, or technique of determining traits or attitudes of a whole population by collecting and analyzing data from a representative segment of it : survey
after allowance has been made for the quantitative and qualitative bias of the sampling , series of generalizations are drawn — Sidney Hook