sampling

The word “sampling” means the process of selecting a smaller group from a larger population to study or measure. In plain terms, taking a smaller, representative slice of something bigger — whether that's data, sound, or a population.

“Sampling” is pronounced SAHM-puh-lihng (/ˈsæmpəlɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “sampling” used in a sentence: “Random sampling helped the researchers avoid bias in their results.”

“Sampling” is a noun.

“Sampling” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Sampling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of selecting a smaller group from a larger population to study or measure.

In statistics and research, sampling means selecting a smaller group from a larger population to study or measure, allowing conclusions about the whole from a manageable subset. In music, especially hip-hop, sampling means reusing short clips from existing recordings to build a new track, which is a creative and technical process rather than a measurement one.

In signal processing, sampling refers to measuring a signal at regular intervals to convert it into digital form, which is the basis of how sound and other analog signals become digital data. This technical sense is distinct from statistical sampling and musical sampling, though all three share the idea of taking discrete pieces from a continuous whole.

Sampling is used because studying an entire population is often impractical, expensive, or time-consuming, so researchers select a representative smaller group instead. A well-chosen sample can still produce reliable conclusions about the larger population it was drawn from.