a small part of anything or one of a number, intended to show the quality, style, or nature of the whole; specimen.

Statistics . a subset of a population

to study a sample of the total population.

a sound of short duration, as a musical tone or a drumbeat, digitally stored in a synthesizer for playback.

serving as a specimen

a sample piece of cloth.

to take a sample or samples of; test or judge by a sample.

noun

bit , bite , case , case history , constituent , cross section , element , exemplification , fragment , illustration , indication , individual , instance , morsel , part , pattern , piece , portion , representative , sampling , segment , sign , specimen , typification , unit , foretaste , archetype , example , exemplar , microcosm , prototype , replica , swatch

verb

examine , experience , experiment , inspect , partake , savor , sip , test , example , illustration , instance , model , pattern , piece , segment , specimen , taste , try