gauging

American  

[gey-jing] / ˈgeɪ dʒɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of determining the exact dimensions, capacity, quantity, or force of something; measurement.

   Proper mechanical gauging of each connector is essential to ensure correct fit.

   The gauging of the canal boats is carried out at a weigh dock.

2. the act of judging, estimating, or appraising.

   Poker involves the careful gauging of other players’ hidden reactions by reading their faces and movements.

3. the act or process of gradually stretching a pierced body part by wearing increasingly larger objects in the opening.

   The practice of earlobe gauging has become a fairly frequent type of body modification.

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Other Word Forms

• self-gauging
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of gauging

First recorded in 1425–75; 2005–10 gauging for def. 3; gauge ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Fotouhi’s memo echoes industry criticism that the program’s scientists are far too conservative in gauging the toxicity of chemicals.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

Aramco is probably gauging return on investment “using indicators such as awareness of the company name, reputation of the company, how the brand Saudi Arabia has improved,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Some analysts also say that the geopolitical uncertainty has investors gauging the market’s fundamentals—and those look mostly solid.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

As well as gauging opinion on an outright ban, the government wants the public's views on less dramatic interventions.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

Victor and Lorena glance at each other as though gauging who should respond, but it is Elizabeth who answers first.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• appraisal
• assessment
• conclusion
• estimation
• evaluation
• guess
• measure
• measurement
• opinion
• projection
• rating
• survey
• valuation