A sample is a small amount or portion of something that is representative of the whole. It can refer to a selection taken from a larger population, such as in statistical sampling, where data is collected from a subset of individuals to make inferences about the entire group. In other contexts, it may refer to a physical specimen, such as a small piece of rock or soil that is analyzed for its composition. The term can also be used more broadly to describe something that represents an example or illustration of a particular characteristic or quality.