instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

Definition of example noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary something such as an object, a fact or a situation that shows, explains or supports what you say Let me give you an example. It is important to cite examples to support your argument.

Some common synonyms of example are case, illustration, instance, sample, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

Example definition: one of a number of things, or a part of something, taken to show the character of the whole. See examples of EXAMPLE used in a sentence.