example

 
Pronunciation: /ɪgˈzɑːmp(ə)l, ɛg-/

noun

  • 1a thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule: advertising provides a good example of an industry where dreams have faded
  • a written problem or exercise designed to illustrate a rule: a workbook and a data set will enable the researcher to follow worked examples
  • 2a person or thing regarded in terms of their fitness to be imitated: it is important that parents should set an example he followed his brother’s example and deserted his family

verb

(be exampled)
  • be illustrated or exemplified: the extent of Allied naval support is exampled by the navigational specialists provided

Phrases

for example

used to introduce something chosen as a typical case: many, like Hilda, for example, come from very poor backgrounds

make an example of

punish as a warning or deterrent to others: he had been imprisoned so that the air force could make an example of him

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin exemplum, from eximere 'take out', from ex- 'out' + emere 'take'. Compare with sample