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measure Definition

meas·ure (mez̸h′ər)

noun

  1. the extent, dimensions, capacity, etc. of anything, esp. as determined by a standard
  2. the act or process of determining extent, dimensions, etc.; measurement
    1. a standard for determining extent, dimensions, etc.; unit of measurement, as an inch, yard, or bushel
    2. any standard of valuation, comparison, judgment, etc.; criterion
  4. a system of measurement dry measure, board measure
  5. an instrument for measuring, or a container of standard capacity a quart measure
  6. a definite quantity measured out or thought of as measured
  7. an extent or degree not to be exceeded remain within measure
  8. proportion, quantity, or degree in large measure
  9. a procedure; course of action; step take measures to stop him
  10. a legislative bill, resolution, etc. that is proposed or has been enacted
    1. rhythm in verse; meter
    2. a metrical unit; foot of verse
  12. Archaic a dance or dance movement, esp. if slow and stately
  13. Old Poet. a melody or tune
  14. Geol., Rare related beds or strata, as of coal
  15. Music the notes or rests, or both, contained between two vertical lines on the staff; bar
  16. Printing the width of a column or page

Etymology: ME mesure < OFr < L mensura < mensus, pp. of metiri, to measure < IE base *mē-, to measure > meal, Sans mātrā, a measure, Gr metron

transitive verb -·ured, -·ur·ing

  1. to find out or estimate the extent, dimensions, etc. of, esp. by the use of a standard
  2. to get, take, set apart, or mark off by measuring: often with off or out
  3. to estimate by comparison; judge; appraise to measure one's foe
  4. to bring into comparison or rivalry: with against to measure one's skill against another's
  5. to be a measure of a clock measures time
  6. to adjust or proportion by a standard to measure a speech by the listeners' reactions
  7. to choose or weigh carefully (one's words or actions)
  8. Now Rare to go over or through; traverse as if measuring

Etymology: ME mesuren < OFr mesurer < LL mensurare, to measure < the Latin n.

intransitive verb

  1. to find out or estimate extent, dimensions, etc.; get or take measurements
  2. to be of a specified dimension, quantity, etc. when measured a pole that measures ten feet
  3. to allow of measurement

measure Related Forms
meas′·urer noun
measure Idioms

beyond measure

or above measure

so much as not to be measurable; exceedingly; extremely

for good measure

as a bonus or something extra

in a measure

to some extent; somewhat

made to measure

made to fit someone's own measurements; custom-made: said of clothes

measure one's length

to fall, lie, or be thrown down at full length

measure out

to give out or allot by measuring

measure swords

  1. to duel with swords
  2. to fight or contend

measure up

☆

to prove to be competent or qualified

measure up to

☆

to come up to; meet (expectations, a standard, etc.)

take measures

to take action; do things to accomplish a purpose

take someone's measure

to make an estimate or judgment of someone's ability, character, etc.

tread a measure

to dance

measure Synonyms

measure

n.

  1. A unit of measurement

    dimension, capacity, weight, volume, distance, degree, quantity, area, mass, frequency, density, viscosity, intensity, rapidity, speed, caliber, bulk, sum, duration, magnitude, amplitude, size, pitch, ratio, depth, scope, height, strength, breadth, amplification.

    Commonly used units of measure include --- linear: inch, foot, yard, rod, mile (U.S. Customary system); millimeter, centimeter, decimeter, meter, kilometer (metric system); volume: fluid dram, fluid ounce, gill, pint, quart, gallon (U.S. Customary system); milliliter, centiliter, deciliter, liter, kiloliter (metric system); weight: dram, ounce, pound (U.S. Customary system); milligram, centigram, decigram, gram, kilogram (metric system).

  2. Units of measure and their abbreviations commonly used in medicine include: Celsius (C), cubic centimeter (cc), dram (dr), drop (gt), drops (gtt), Fahrenheit (F), fluid dram (fl dr), fluid ounce (fl oz), foot (ft), gram (gm), grain (gr), hour (hr), kilogram (kg), microgram (mcg), milligram (mg), milliliter (ml), millimeter (mm), minute (min), ounce (oz), pint (O), pound (lb), unit (U).

  3. Anything used as a standard

    rule, test, trial, example, standard, gauge, benchmark, touchstone, yardstick, norm, canon, pattern, type, model; see also criterion.

  4. A beat

    rhythm, tempo, time, step, throb, stroke, accent, meter, cadence, tune, melody, stress, vibration, division; see also beat 3.

  5. A bill

    project, proposition, proposal; see bill 3.

  6. A preventive or counteractive action

    agency, device, stratagem; see action 2, means 1.

beyond (<strong><em>or</em> </strong>above) measure

immeasurably, exceedingly, extremely; see much 1, 2.

for good measure

added, as a bonus, additionally; see extra.

in a measure

to some extent, somewhat, in a way; see rather.

made to measure

suited, custom-made, made to order; see tailored.

take measures

take action, do things to accomplish a purpose, employ; see act 1.

take someone's measure*

measure, judge, weigh; see estimate 1, 2.

measure Synonyms

measure

v.

  1. To apply a standard of measurement

    rule, weigh, mark, lay off, lay out, grade, graduate, gauge, sound, pitch, beat, stroke, time, mete, mark off, pace off, plumb, scale, rank, even, level, gradate, shade, blend, rhyme, line, align, line out, regulate, portion, set a criterion, set a standard, average, equate, encircle, square, calibrate, block in, survey, telemeter, map; see also estimate 1, 2.

  2. To contain by measurement

    hold, cover, contain; see include 1.

measure Usage Examples

Object

  • effectiveness: He proposes that performance indicators be used to measure the effectiveness of medicines management systems.
  • distance: He used a silver trowel which was always spotless and a steel rule to measure the exact distance between each plant and row.
  • inch: It measured some 24 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches and had been dug up on the site.

Converse of object

  • implement: Keeping rooms tidy and implementing the measures below will help avoid these incidents.
  • adopt: Consequently, as Nikon focuses more on the digital camera business, the company must adopt appropriate measures to ensure its continued success.
  • calm: Councilor Breslin noted that Roads Service had agreed to consider this in line with traffic calming measures for the area.
  • propose: Usually the aim is to propose policy measures for sustainable development.
  • take: Indeed he took extreme measures to prevent the present writer telling the British people of his exploits.

Adjective modifier

  • preventative: These preventative measures include: Using thawed, not frozen bait which causes it to sink deeper in the water quicker.
  • precautionary: To protect the ozone layer by taking precautionary measures to control global emissions of substances which deplete it.
  • preventive: Which theory one held determined what preventive measures could be fostered.
  • protective: Your vet may also suggest using Cosequin as a protective measure.
  • equal: We must avail ourselves of rights and duties in equal measure.
  • appropriate: We have appropriate security measures in place to protect this information.

Noun used with modifier

  • outcome: Activities of daily living outcome measures are being addressed.
  • mitigation: For example, affordable housing, community facilities or mitigation measures.
  • security: Bristol International Airport had a successful season during the World Cup, with security measures limiting the amount of recorded crime.
  • efficiency: Various options are possible but there would be no government funding; costs would have to be met through efficiency measures.
  • tape: An estimation of the bulk of the calf muscle was made using a tape measure.
  • conservation: We apologize for any inconvenience this important conservation measure may cause.
measure Quotes

And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

—Bible (NewTestament)

Few evade full measure of their fate.

—Crane, (Harold) Hart

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

—Bible (NewTestament)

Man is the measure of all things, of the existence of the things that are, and the non-existence of the things that are not.

—Protagoras

Still raise for good the supplicating voice, But leave to heaven the measure and the choice.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

Themeasure of loveiswhatoneiswilling togiveup for it.

—Lewin, Albert

Of all journals, and of all writers, those will obtain the largest measure of public support who have told the truth most constantly and most fearlessly.

—TheTimes

He gave man speech, and speech created thought, Which is the measure of the universe.

—Shelley, Percy Bysshe

  We measure shadows, and we search among ghostly errors of measurement for landmarks that are scarcely more substantial.

—Hubble, Edwin Powell

Je connais gens de toutes sortes Ils n'e¤  galent pas leur destin. I know people of all sorts They do not measure up to their destiny.

—Kostrowitzki

Perpetual modernness is the measure of merit in every work of art.

—Emerson, RalphWaldo

From wrong to wrong the exasperated spirit Proceeds, unless restored by that refining fire Where you must move in measure, like a dancer.

—Eliot,T(homas) S(tearns)

No one had any measure of its progress; no one had any plan for stopping it. Everyone tried to get out of its way.

—Perkins, Frances

Since we are assured that the all-wise Creator has observed the most exact proportions of number, weight and measureinthemake ofall things, themost likely way therefore to get any insight into the nature of those parts ofthe Creationwhich come withinourobservation must

—Hales, Stephen

Instead of using onlycomparativeWords and intellectual Arguments, I have taken the course†to express myself inTerms of Number,Weight, or Measure; to use only Arguments of Sense, and to consider only such Causes, as have visible Foundations in Nature.

—Petty, Sir William

Est modus in rebus. There is a measure in things.

—Horace full name  Quintus Horatius Flaccus   65

To the beat of the measure From star-up to the half-dark From half-dark to half-dark Unceasing the measure.

—Pound, Ezra Loomis

  And he said unto them,Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

—Bible (NewTestament)

   Judgenot, that yebe not judged.For withwhat judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

—Bible (NewTestament)