exemplar

UK: /ɪɡˈzɛmplə/ US: (ig zem′plər, -plär)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ex•em•plar  (ig zem′plər, -plär), n. 

1. a model or pattern to be copied or imitated:
   Washington is the exemplar of patriotic virtue.
2. a typical example or instance.
3. an original or archetype:
   Plato thought nature but a copy of ideal exemplars.
4. a copy of a book or text.

• Latin exemplāris
• Middle French examplaire
• Latin, variant of exemplāre, noun, nominal use of neuter of exemplāris exemplary; replacing Middle English exaumplere
• Middle English 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

exemplar / ɪɡˈzɛmplə -plɑː/ noun

1. a person or thing to be copied or imitated; model
2. a typical specimen or instance; example
3. a copy of a book or text on which further printings have been based

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin exemplarium model, from exemplum example