measurement

American  

[mezh-er-muhnt] / ˈmɛʒ ər mənt /

noun

1. the act of measuring.

2. a measured dimension.

3. extent, size, etc., ascertained by measuring.

4. a system of measuring or measures.

   liquid measurement.

---

measurement British  

/ ˈmɛʒəmənt /

noun

1. the act or process of measuring

2. an amount, extent, or size determined by measuring

3. a system of measures based on a particular standard

---

measurement Scientific  

/ mĕzh′ər-mənt /

1. A method of determining quantity, capacity, or dimension. Several systems of measurement exist, each one comprising units whose amounts have been arbitrarily set and agreed upon by specific groups. While the United States Customary System remains the most commonly used system of measurement in the United States, the International System is accepted all over the world as the standard system for use in science.

---

Other Word Forms

• mismeasurement noun
• premeasurement noun
• remeasurement noun
• self-measurement noun

Etymology

Origin of measurement

First recorded in 1745–55; measure + -ment

Explanation

Taking a measurement involves figuring out how long something is or what it weighs or how fast it is. Measurements usually require something like a ruler or a stop watch. When you step on the scale to check your weight, you're getting a measurement. When you pull out a ruler and measure a piece of paper, you're making a measurement. Astronomers make measurements of how far away other planets and stars are. In the Olympics, a timer does a measurement of who's fastest, to see who won a race. Anytime you're using a measuring device to come up with a number for something, you're taking a measurement.

Example Sentences

But it was limited by inconsistency in the measurement technique of the AGD—in fact, that the measurement was “difficult to standardize” is something that the paper itself notes.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

A token is a unit of measurement in AI to track how much computing resources are being used for a task.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

In that case, the Hubble tension may signal a deeper issue rather than a simple measurement problem.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Playing against greatness was a measurement of who you were.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Claire points her laser to the ceiling and records the measurement.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

Related Words

• amount
• analysis
• appraisal
• assessment
• density
• dimension
• evaluation
• frequency
• height
• measure
• size
• survey
• weight