sampling

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

sampling
    n 1: (statistics) the selection of a suitable sample for study
    2: items selected at random from a population and used to test
       hypotheses about the population [syn: {sample distribution},
       {sample}, {sampling}]
    3: measurement at regular intervals of the amplitude of a
       varying waveform (in order to convert it to digital form)

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

sampling

   <DSP> The process of taking a {sample} of a signal at evenly
   spaced intervals of time.  This is the first step in {Digital
   Signal Processing}.

   (2001-06-06)