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

From early on, Orbán proved skilled at gauging the country’s political temperature as it emerged from communist rule.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 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

Here, for the first time, I found ways and techniques of gauging meaningfully the effects of American civilization upon the personalities of people.

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright

Related Words

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