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)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

sampling

    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)