example

1. example (noun) — sense 1

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

Example: 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.

2. example (noun) — sense 2

Definition: Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.

Example: 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. example (noun) — sense 3

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

Example: Nelson Mandela was an example for many to follow.

4. example (verb) — sense 4

Definition: To be illustrated or exemplified (by).