a specimen or instance that is typical of the group or set of which it forms part; sample a person, action, thing, etc, that is worthy of imitation; pattern you must set an example to the younger children a precedent, illustration of a principle, or model

a person or their behaviour that is thought to be a good model for others to copy example to somebody Her courage is an example to us all. example for somebody He sets an example for the other students. example of something They are a shining example of the best of the human spirit.

1 : one that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not to be imitated a good example 2 : a punishment inflicted on someone as a warning to others also : an individual so punished 3 : one that is representative of all of a group or type