example
one of a number of things, or a part of something, taken to show the character of the whole: This painting is an example of his early work.
a pattern or model, as of something to be imitated or avoided: to set a good example.
an instance serving for illustration; a representative case: The case histories gave carefully detailed examples of this disease.
an instance illustrating a rule or method, as a mathematical problem proposed for solution.
an instance, especially of punishment, serving as a warning to others: Public executions were meant to be examples to the populace.
a precedent; parallel case: an action without example.
Rare. to give or be an example of; exemplify (used in the passive).
Origin of example
1synonym study For example
Other words for example
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use example in a sentence
This unconsciousness of the larger interests is perhaps most happily exampled out of his own mouth.
Familiar Studies of Men and Books | Robert Louis StevensonWhat this may be is best exampled by our harlequinades, in which very much of Boccaccio's bent still survives.
Little Novels of Italy | Maurice Henry HewlettThe doings of the Black Prince might, also be exampled as inducing the study of the geography of northern France.
She and I, Volume 2 | John Conroy HutchesonHere again the curious submissive nature of the woman was exampled.
The Watchers of the Plains | Ridgewell CullumIn this young wood of Taahauku all these hues and combinations were exampled and repeated by the score.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 18 (of 25) | Robert Louis Stevenson
British Dictionary definitions for example
/ (ɪɡˈzɑːmpəl) /
a specimen or instance that is typical of the group or set of which it forms part; sample
a person, action, thing, etc, that is worthy of imitation; pattern: you must set an example to the younger children
a precedent, illustration of a principle, or model: an example in a maths book
a punishment or the recipient of a punishment serving or intended to serve as a warning: the headmaster made an example of him
for example as an illustration; for instance
(tr; now usually passive) to present an example of; exemplify
Origin of example
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with example
see for example; make an example of; set an example.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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