Definitions of example:

• noun:   an item of information that is representative of a type

  Example: "This patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"

• noun:   punishment intended as a warning to others

  Example: "They decided to make an example of him"

• noun:   a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding

  Example: "You must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook"

• noun:   something to be imitated
• noun:   a representative form or pattern

  Example: "I profited from his example"

• noun:   an occurrence of something

  Example: "But there is always the famous example of the Smiths"