# example

Pronunciation: US say "ig-ZAM-puhl" /ɪɡˈzæm.pəl/; UK say "ig-ZAHM-puhl" /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/

## Noun

1. A thing that is typical of its kind or that shows how a rule or general statement works; an instance.
   - Simple: One thing that shows what a group of things is like, or shows how a rule works.
   - _The textbook offers a clear example to illustrate the grammar rule._
   - _Each chapter ends with an example explaining the principle just covered._
2. A pattern of behavior meant to be followed as good or avoided as bad.
   - Simple: A way of acting that others should copy or should avoid.
   - _The coach set an example of fairness for the entire team._
   - _His reckless spending was a poor example for his children._
3. A comparable case, particularly one taken as a precedent or a model to follow.
   - Simple: A past case that is like a new one and can help guide it.
   - _Lawyers cited an example from a previous ruling to support their argument._
   - _The committee followed the example of a neighboring city's successful program._
4. A person punished as a warning meant to deter others.
   - Simple: A person punished so that others will be afraid to do the same thing.
   - _The general made an example of the deserter to keep the others in line._
   - _The coach made an example of the two players who skipped practice by benching them._
5. A problem set as an exercise to illustrate a rule or to practice applying it.
   - Simple: A practice problem that helps you learn how to use a rule.
   - _The instructor solved an example on the board to demonstrate the method._
   - _Students completed several examples to practice the new formula._

## Other meanings

- (verb) To illustrate something by giving an example, or to serve as an example of it; to exemplify.

## Origin

This word came into Middle English as example from Old French example, from Latin exemplum ("sample, pattern, specimen, copy for imitation"), literally "what is taken out." It is a doublet of exemplum and sample, and it displaced the native Middle English forebisne (from Old English forebȳsn).

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/example (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).