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standard definition

stand·ard (stan′dərd)

noun

  1. any figure or object, esp. a flag or banner, used as an emblem or symbol of a leader, people, military unit, etc.; specif.,
    1. Heraldry a long, tapering flag used as an ensign, as by a king
    2. Mil. the colors of a cavalry unit
  2. something established for use as a rule or basis of comparison in measuring or judging capacity, quantity, content, extent, value, quality, etc. standard of weight and measure
    1. the proportion of pure gold or silver and base metal prescribed for use in coinage
    2. the basis for the measure of value in a given monetary system
  4. the type, model, or example commonly or generally accepted or adhered to; criterion set for usages or practices moral standards
  5. a level of excellence, attainment, etc. regarded as a measure of adequacy
  6. any upright object used as a support, often a part of the thing it supports; supporting piece; base; stand
  7. a former grade or class designation in a British elementary school
  8. a piece of popular music that continues to be included in the repertoire of many bands, singers, etc. through the years
  9. Bot.
    1. the large, upper petal of a butterfly-shaped flower; vexillum
    2. any of the three erect petals in the flower of an iris
  10. Hort.
    1. a tree or shrub with a tall, erect stem, that stands alone without support
    2. a plant grafted on a single erect stem to grow in tree form

Etymology: ME < OFr estendard < Frank *standord, place of formation < Gmc *standan, to stand + *ort, a place, orig., a point, akin to OE ord (see odd): hence, orig., a standing place

adjective

  1. used as, or meeting the requirements of, a standard, rule, model, etc.
  2. generally accepted as reliable or authoritative standard reference books
  3. conforming to what is usual; ordinary; not special or extra standard procedure
  4. Linguis.
    1. of or in accord with the level of usage of most educated speakers of a language and established as the prestigious form of that language
    2. designating the prestigious dialect of a given language Standard American English

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business standard definition - business

medical standard definition - medical

telecom standard definition - telecom

standard Synonyms

standard

modif.

regular, usual, regulation, made to a standard; see approved, conventional 1, official 3.


standard

n.

  1. Flag

    pennant, banner, colors; see flag 1.

  2. Emblem

    symbol, figure, insignia; see emblem.

  3. Measure

    criterion, gauge, yardstick, example, rule, test; see also criterion, measure 2.

  4. Model

    pattern, type, example, norm; see model 2. See syn. study at model.

standard applies to some measure, principle, model, etc. with which things of the same class are compared in order to determine their quantity, value, quality, etc. standard of purity for drugs; criterion applies to a test or rule for measuring the excellence, fitness, or correctness of something, especially of an abstraction mere memory is no accurate criterion of intelligence; gauge literally applies to a standard of measurement a wire gauge, but figuratively it is equivalent to criterionsales are an accurate gauge of a book's popularity; yardstick refers to a test or criterion for measuring genuineness or value time is the only true yardstick of a book's merit


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

standard Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • raise: Efforts to raise educational standards have had limited success on their own.

Adjective modifier

  • minimum: In 2002 almost 90 % of Scotland's shellfish growing waters complied with the minimum environmental quality standards.

Noun used with modifier

  • trading: I particularly welcome plans to extend direct enforcement powers to trading standards authorities.

Modifies a noun

  • deviation: The residues with temperature factor greater than three standard deviations from the average value are listed.

Noun used with modifier

  • quality: It is also required in the quality standard ISO 9001.

Preposition: of

  • living: Anyone who aspires to a standard of living has to have money.
standard usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

standard quotes

The people's flag is deepest red; It shrouded oft our martyred dead. And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold, Their heart's blood dyed its every fold. Then raise the scarlet standard high! Within its shade we'll live or die. Tho'cowards flinch and traitors sneer, We'll keep the red flag flying here.

-Connell,James

Proudly the note of the trumpet is sounding, Loudly the war-cries arise on the gale, Fleetly the steed by Loc Suilig is bounding To join the thick squadrons in Saimear's green vale. On, every mountaineer, Strangers to flight and fear: Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh! Bonnought and gallowglass, Throng from each mountain-pass! On for old ErinöO'Donnell abu!

-McCann, M(ichael) J(oseph)

First follow Nature, and your judgement frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring Nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged, and universal light, Life, force and beauty must to all impart, At once the source and end and test of art.

-Pope, Alexander

standard quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
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standard. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/standard

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