example

/ɛgˈzæmpəl/

/ɛgzˈɑmpəl/

Other forms: examples

An example is a particular instance of something that is representative of a group, or an illustration of something that's been generally described.

Example comes from the Latin word for "specimen." If you want an example of mainstream teen fashion, find a 13-year old in a mall. If you set a good example, then you show your peers how they should behave. But if you’re an unrepentant criminal and you keep getting in trouble, a judge might give you a really long prison sentence, as an example to other unrepentant criminals out there.

Definitions of example

1. noun

   an item of information that is typical of a class or group
   “this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome”

   “there is an example on page 10”

   synonyms: illustration, instance, representative

   types:

   apology, excuse

   a poor example

   exception, outlier

   an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization

   case in point, precedent

   an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

   quintessence

   the most typical example or representative of a type

   sample

   a small part of something intended as representative of the whole

   specimen

   an example regarded as typical of its class

   coupon

   a test sample of some substance

   cross section

   a sample meant to be representative of a whole population

   grab sample

   a single sample or measurement taken at a specific time or over as short a period as feasible

   random sample

   a sample grabbed at random

   tasting

   a small amount (especially of food or wine)

   type of:

   information

   knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction
2. noun

   an occurrence of something
   “but there is always the famous example of the Smiths”

   synonyms: case, instance

   types:

   humiliation, mortification

   an instance in which you are caused to lose your prestige or self-respect

   bit, piece

   an instance of some kind

   clip, time

   an instance or single occasion for some event

   type of:

   happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent

   an event that happens
3. noun

   a representative form or pattern
   “I profited from his example”

   synonyms: model

   types:

   loadstar, lodestar

   something that serves as a model or guide

   epitome, image, paradigm, prototype

   a standard or typical example

   holotype, type specimen

   the original specimen from which the description of a new species is made

   microcosm

   a miniature model of something

   archetype, original, pilot

   something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies

   guide, template, templet

   a model or standard for making comparisons

   prefiguration

   an example that prefigures or foreshadows what is to come

   concentrate

   a concentrated example of something

   imago

   (psychoanalysis) an idealized image of someone (usually a parent) formed in childhood

   rhythm, speech rhythm

   the arrangement of spoken words alternating stressed and unstressed elements

   prototype

   the first functional model of some new design or product

   type of:

   internal representation, mental representation, representation

   a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image
4. noun

   something to be imitated
   synonyms: exemplar, good example, model

   types:

   beaut, beauty

   an outstanding example of its kind

   pacemaker, pacesetter

   a leading instance in its field

   pattern

   a model considered worthy of imitation

   prodigy

   an impressive or wonderful example of a particular quality

   type of:

   ideal

   the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
5. noun

   a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding
   “you must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook”

   synonyms: exercise

   type of:

   lesson

   a task assigned for individual study
6. noun

   punishment intended as a warning to others
   “they decided to make an example of him”

   synonyms: deterrent example, lesson, object lesson

   type of:

   admonition, monition, warning, word of advice

   cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)