• (RP) IPA: /ɪɡˈzɑːmpl̩/
• (New Zealand) IPA: /ɘɡˈzɐːmpɯ/
• (Australia, America, weak vowel) IPA: /əɡˈzæmpl̩/
• (America) IPA: /ɪɡˈzæmpl̩/

example (plural examples)

1. Something that is representative of all such things in a group.
2. Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.
3. Something that serves as a pattern of behaviour to be imitated (a good example) or not to be imitated (a bad example).
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981 ↗, John 13:15 ↗:

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

   • 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […]”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: Printed by J. M[acock] for John Starkey […], OCLC 228732398 ↗, lines 823–824, [https://archive.org/stream/paradiseregaindp00milt_0#page/{}/mode/1up page 52]:

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

   • 1818, [Mary Shelley], chapter IV, in Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. In Three Volumes, volume I, London: Printed [by Macdonald and Son] for Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones, OCLC 830979744 ↗, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=emu.010001278701;view=1up;seq=102 page 86]:

     Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge,{{...}

4. A person punished as a warning to others.
   • c. 1610–1611, William Shakespeare, “The VVinters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act IV, scene iv]:

     Hang him; he'll be made an example.

   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981 ↗, 1 Corinthians 10:6 ↗:

     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.
   • c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act III, scene iv]:

     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.

• See also Thesaurus:model
• See also Thesaurus:exemplar

• French: exemple
• German: Beispiel, Exempel
• Italian: esempio
• Portuguese: exemplo
• Russian: приме́р
• Spanish: ejemplo

• French: exemple
• German: Beispiel
• Portuguese: exemplo
• Russian: приме́р
• Spanish: ejemplar

• French: exemple
• German: Vorbild, Beispiel
• Portuguese: exemplo
• Russian: приме́р

• French: exemple
• German: Exempel
• Portuguese: exemplo
• Russian: приме́р

• French: exemple
• Portuguese: exemplo
• Russian: приме́р

• French: exemple
• Portuguese: exemplo
• Russian: приме́р

example (examples, present participle exampling; past and past participle exampled)

1. To be illustrated or exemplified (by).