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.

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. Geology.,  measures, 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)

measured, measuring 

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 orout ).

   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)

measured, measuring 

1. to take measurements.

2. to admit of measurement.

3. to be of a specified measure.

verb phrase

1. measure up

   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

   a measure of grain

   short measure

   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. as an extra precaution or beyond requirements

19. to assess the nature, character, quality, etc, of someone

20. (of clothes) made to fit an individual purchaser

verb

1. 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

Other Word Forms

• measurer noun
• intermeasure verb (used with object)
• mismeasure verb
• outmeasure verb (used with object)
• premeasure verb (used with object)
• remeasure verb (used with object)
• undermeasure verb (used with object)

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

   His conclusion is justified in some measure.

3. for good measure, as an extra.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing measure

• beyond measure
• for good measure
• in some measure
• made to measure
• take someone's measure

Example Sentences

“This extra measure means the television audience will see the full, unedited interview on CBS and we will continue our practice of posting full transcripts and the unedited video online.”

From Los Angeles Times

It said precautionary measures had been taken to mitigate harm to civilians, "including advance warnings to the population" and the use of "precise munitions".

From BBC

We've worked relentlessly to bring an end to the building safety crisis and developed new measures to get peoples' homes fixed quicker and hold rogue freeholders to account.

From BBC

Reform voters are less supportive than other voters of virtually any measure designed to address climate change.

From BBC

A measure introduced Wednesday in the Los Angeles City Council directs officials to draft language conforming to the same standards.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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