measure

[ mezh-er ]

noun

1. a unit or standard of measurement:

   weights and measures.

2. a system of measurement:

   liquid measure.

3. an instrument, as a graduated rod or a container of standard capacity, for measuring.
4. the extent, dimensions, quantity, etc., of something, ascertained especially by comparison with a standard:

   to take the measure of a thing.

5. the act or process of ascertaining the extent, dimensions, or quantity of something; measurement.
6. a definite or known quantity measured out:

   to drink a measure of wine.

7. any standard of comparison, estimation, or judgment.
8. a quantity, degree, or proportion:

   in large measure.

9. a moderate amount:

   to live with a measure of enjoyment.

10. a limit, or an extent or degree not to be exceeded:

    to know no measure.

11. reasonable bounds or limits:

    to know no measure.

12. a legislative bill or enactment:

    The senate passed the new measure.

13. Usually measures. actions or procedures intended as a means to an end:

    to take measures to avert suspicion.

14. a short rhythmical movement or arrangement, as in poetry or music. Compare meter ²( def 1b ).
15. a particular kind of such arrangement.
16. a metrical unit.
17. Music.
    1. the music contained between two bar lines; bar.
    2. an air or melody.
    3. a slow, dignified dance.
18. Printing. the width, measured in ems or picas, to which a column or page of printed matter is set.
19. measures, Geology. beds; strata.
20. Mathematics. an abstraction of the property of length; a set function assigning to each set of a collection of sets a value, usually having the properties of sigma finiteness and finite additivity, the functional value of the whole collection being greater than zero.

verb (used with object)

, meas·ured, meas·ur·ing.

1. to ascertain the extent, dimensions, quantity, capacity, etc., of, especially by comparison with a standard:

   to measure boundaries.

2. to mark off or deal out by way of measurement (often followed by off or out ):

   to measure out two cups of flour.

3. to estimate the relative amount, value, etc., of, by comparison with some standard:

   to measure the importance of an issue.

4. to judge or appraise by comparison with something or someone else:

   to measure Corneille against Racine.

5. to serve as the measure of:

   Her sacrifices measure the degree of her love.

6. to adjust or proportion:

   to measure a portion to one's liking.

7. to bring into comparison or competition:

   to measure one's strength with another's.

8. to travel over; traverse:

   to measure a room with great strides.

verb (used without object)

, meas·ured, meas·ur·ing.

1. to take measurements.
2. to admit of measurement.
3. to be of a specified measure.

verb phrase

1. 1. to reach a certain standard:

      The exhibition didn't measure up to last year's.

   2. to be capable or qualified:

      As an administrator, he couldn't quite measure up.

measure

/ ˈmɛʒə /

noun

1. the extent, quantity, amount, or degree of something, as determined by measurement or calculation
2. a device for measuring distance, volume, etc, such as a graduated scale or container
3. a system of measurement

   give the size in metric measure

4. a standard used in a system of measurements

   the international prototype kilogram is the measure of mass in SI units

5. a specific or standard amount of something

   short measure

   a measure of grain

   full measure

6. a basis or standard for comparison

   his work was the measure of all subsequent attempts

7. reasonable or permissible limit or bounds

   we must keep it within measure

8. degree or extent (often in phrases such as in some measure, in a measure, etc)

   they gave him a measure of freedom

9. often plural a particular action intended to achieve an effect

   they took measures to prevent his leaving

10. a legislative bill, act, or resolution

    to bring in a measure

11. music another word for bar 1
12. prosody poetic rhythm or cadence; metre
13. a metrical foot
14. poetic.
    a melody or tune
15. the act of measuring; measurement
16. archaic.
    a dance
17. printing the width of a page or column of type
18. for good measure
    as an extra precaution or beyond requirements
19. get the measure of someone or get someone's measure
    to assess the nature, character, quality, etc, of someone
20. made to measure
    (of clothes) made to fit an individual purchaser

verb

1. troften foll byup to determine the size, amount, etc, of by measurement
2. intr to make a measurement or measurements
3. tr to estimate or determine

   I measured his strength to be greater than mine

4. tr to function as a measurement of

   the ohm measures electrical resistance

5. tr to bring into competition or conflict

   he measured his strength against that of his opponent

6. intr to be as specified in extent, amount, etc

   the room measures six feet

7. tr to travel or move over as if measuring
8. tr to adjust or choose

   he measured his approach to suit the character of his client

9. intr to allow or yield to measurement

Derived Forms

• ˈmeasurer, noun

Other Words From

• measur·er noun
• inter·measure verb (used with object) intermeasured intermeasuring
• mis·measure verb mismeasured mismeasuring
• outmeasure verb (used with object) outmeasured outmeasuring
• pre·measure verb (used with object) premeasured premeasuring
• re·measure verb (used with object) remeasured remeasuring
• under·measure verb (used with object) undermeasured undermeasuring noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of measure¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English mesure, from Middle French, from Latin mēnsūra, equivalent to mēns(us), past participle of mētīrī “to measure, mete” + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of measure¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin mēnsūra measure, from mēnsus, past participle of mētīrī to measure

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. beyond measure, too much to be reckoned; immeasurably; extremely:

   The suffering that they endured was beyond measure.

2. for good measure, as an extra:

   In addition to dessert, they served chocolates for good measure.

3. have / take someone's measure, to judge or assess someone's character, capabilities, etc.; size up:

   During their conversation she was taking his measure as a prospective employee.

4. in a / some measure, to some extent or degree:

   His conclusion is justified in some measure.

5. measure one's length, to fall or be knocked down; fall flat:

   He missed a step in the dark and measured his length at the bottom.

6. measure swords,
   1. to test one's preparedness for a contest or encounter.
   2. to battle with swords.
   3. to fight, compete, etc.:

      The producer of the poorly reviewed show decided to measure swords with the critics.

More idioms and phrases containing measure

In addition to the idiom beginning with measure , also see beyond measure ; for good measure ; in some measure ; made to measure ; take someone's measure .

Example Sentences

Hundreds of protesters opposing changes to inheritance tax rules for farms gathered outside the Welsh Labour conference as the prime minister defended his government's recent Budget measures.

From BBC

The area was declared safe at 10:15 a.m., but the courthouse remained closed for the rest of the day as a precautionary measure.

From Los Angeles Times

By measuring how long it takes for the beams to bounce back, scientists can make a 3D map of the ground below.

From NewsForKids.net

Over the next six months, sensors inside the satellite will help measure how well the wood holds up.

From NewsForKids.net

The investigation into institutions for unmarried mothers in Northern Ireland has found some evidence that pregnant women and babies may have spent time in private nursing homes as a “measure of secrecy”.

From BBC

Related Words

• adjust
• assess
• average
• calibrate
• check
• compute
• determine
• estimate
• evaluate
• fit
• gauge
• limit
• mark
• peg
• quantify
• rank
• regulate
• survey
• weigh