an item of information that is typical of a class or group
"this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"
"there is an example on page 10"
something to be imitated
"an exemplar of success"
"a model of clarity"
"he is the very model of a modern major general"
punishment intended as a warning to others
"they decided to make an example of him"
Something that is representative of all such things in a group.
"The first chapter serves as a perfect example of the entire novel's gritty style, capturing its tone better than any later section could."
In plain English: An example is something that shows what something else is like.
"He used his own story as an example for the new students."
Usage: Use "example" to refer to a specific case or illustration that represents a larger category or demonstrates a general rule. It functions correctly when you cite a single instance to prove a point or show how something works, rather than using it as a verb.
To be illustrated or exemplified (by).
"Her dedication is a perfect example of what true leadership looks like."
In plain English: To example something means to show it as a typical case, though this usage is rare and usually people just use the noun form instead.
"The old computer is broken and needs to be replaced by installing an example program."
Usage: Use "example" almost exclusively as a noun; it is rarely used as a verb in modern English, so avoid trying to conjugate it like "to example." Instead, express the idea of illustrating something by using phrases like "is an example of" or "exemplifies."
The word "example" entered English from the Old French essaumple, which came from the Latin exemplum meaning "a sample or pattern." It originally referred to something taken out as a specimen for imitation, eventually replacing an older native English term.