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

Derived 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

Measurement is a key holdup for some big brands because returns on creator campaigns can’t be quantified as easily as for traditional TV commercials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Preliminary findings showed 32 percent of the drinks they served failed to deliver the "correct amount", said the National Measurement Institute's audit report released this week.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

Leaf Gas Exchange Measurement Highly sensitive instruments track exactly how much CO2 the leaf absorbs and how much water vapor it releases.

From Science Daily • Jan. 7, 2026

Christina Bethell, a social epidemiologist and director of the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative at Johns Hopkins University, said the pandemic had certainly exacerbated the mental health crisis affecting young people nationwide.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2024

See Measurement of qualities, in induction, 216 Superiority, evolutionary, 133-5, 173, 174-5 Superman, 267 Supraconsciousness, 261 Survival of the fit, 169.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

Related Words

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