gauging
Americannoun
-
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.
-
the act of judging, estimating, or appraising.
Poker involves the careful gauging of other players’ hidden reactions by reading their faces and movements.
-
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.
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Executives say it’s a delicate balance in gauging what perks, if any, to eliminate.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 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
Because it’s not yet publicly listed, gauging the reaction of investors to the development is difficult.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 19, 2026
Yet for the public and the press, gauging that danger has been difficult.
From Salon • Jan. 12, 2026
She looks at me, gauging my seriousness, and it bugs me.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
