measurement

American  

[mezh-er-muhnt] / ˈmɛʒ ər mənt /

noun

• measurements
  plural

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.

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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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• measurements
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of measurement

First recorded in 1745–55; measure + -ment

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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

See Examples For:

measurement measurements

A price is only as honest as the measurement beneath it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

If experimentally confirmed, their method could simplify quantum computing by removing the need for extra qubits used in certain measurement techniques.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026

This would allow scientists to follow the qubit's quantum evolution over time, rather than obtaining information only through separate measurement and reset cycles.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026

These estimates describe changes in cognitive test performance rather than a direct measurement of biological brain aging.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026

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

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

These measurements provided a direct assessment of how well the nerve and muscle cells worked together.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 10, 2026

Researchers expect upcoming improvements to the Large Hadron Collider to make these measurements even more powerful.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 10, 2026

If future measurements achieve that level of certainty, Bd → μ+μ-would become the rarest beauty particle decay ever observed.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 10, 2026

As a result, the experimental samples had a limited useful lifetime, giving the scientists only a few hours to collect their measurements after assembly.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026

After Agent Burger informed Morrison of the purpose of these measurements, he also commissioned a mug shot, another of Bertillon’s innovations.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

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Related Words

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

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