example — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Something that is representative of all such things in a group.

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   If Demandt's essay served as a strident example of the German desire for normalcy, a more subtle example was provided by a brief allohistorical depiction of a Nazi victory in World War II written by German historian Michael Salewski in 1999.

   The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.

2. Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Plant breeding is always a numbers game.[…]The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation, […]. In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better. These rarities may be new mutations, or they can be existing ones that are neutral—or are even selected against—in a wild population. A good example is mutations that disrupt seed dispersal, leaving the seeds on the heads long after they are ripe.

3. Something that serves as a pattern of behaviour to be imitated (a good example) or not to be imitated (a bad example).

   Examples

   Nelson Mandela was an example for many to follow.

   For I haue giuen you an example, that yee ſhould doe, as I haue done to you.

   More examples (3)

   I gave, thou ſay'ſt, th' example, / I led the way;

   Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge,[…]

   The Celebrity, by arts unknown, induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on a certain afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track.[…]Their example was followed by others at a time when the master of Mohair was superintending in person the docking of some two-year-olds, and equally invisible.

4. A person punished as a warning to others.

   Examples

   […]hang him, hee'le be made an example.

   Now theſe things were our examples, to the intent wee ſhould not luſt after euil things, as they alſo luſted.

5. A parallel or closely similar case, especially when serving as a precedent or model.

   Examples

   Such temperate order in ſo fierce a cauſe, / Doth want example:[…]

6. An instance (as a problem to be solved) serving to illustrate the rule or precept or to act as an exercise in the application of the rule.

Verb

1. To be illustrated or exemplified (by).

Noun

1. an item of information that is typical of a class or group

   Synonyms

   illustrationinstancerepresentative

   Broader terms

   information

   Examples

   this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome

   there is an example on page 10

2. a representative form or pattern

   Synonyms

   model

   Broader terms

   representationmental representationinternal representation

   Examples

   I profited from his example

3. something to be imitated

   Synonyms

   exemplarmodelgood example

   Broader terms

   ideal

   Examples

   an exemplar of success

   a model of clarity

   More examples (1)

   he is the very model of a modern major general

4. punishment intended as a warning to others

   Synonyms

   deterrent examplelessonobject lesson

   Broader terms

   admonitionmonitionwarningword of advice

   Examples

   they decided to make an example of him

5. an occurrence of something

   Synonyms

   caseinstance

   Broader terms

   happeningoccurrenceoccurrentnatural event

   Examples

   it was a case of bad judgment

   another instance occurred yesterday

   More examples (1)

   but there is always the famous example of the Smiths

6. a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding

   Synonyms

   exercise

   Broader terms

   lesson

   Examples

   you must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook