measure

American  

[mezh-er] / ˈmɛʒ ər /

noun

1. a unit or standard of measurement.

   weights and measures.

2. a system of measurement.

   liquid measure.

3. an instrument, as a graduated rod or a container of standard capacity, for measuring.

4. the extent, dimensions, quantity, etc., of something, ascertained especially by comparison with a standard.

   to take the measure of a thing.

5. the act or process of ascertaining the extent, dimensions, or quantity of something; measurement.

6. a definite or known quantity measured out.

   to drink a measure of wine.

7. any standard of comparison, estimation, or judgment.

8. a quantity, degree, or proportion.

   in large measure.

9. a moderate amount.

   to live with a measure of enjoyment.

10. a limit, or an extent or degree not to be exceeded.

    to know no measure.

11. reasonable bounds or limits.

    to know no measure.

12. a legislative bill or enactment.

    The senate passed the new measure.

13. Usually measures. actions or procedures intended as a means to an end.

    to take measures to avert suspicion.

14. a short rhythmical movement or arrangement, as in poetry or music.

15. a particular kind of such arrangement.

16. a metrical unit.

17. Music.

    1. the music contained between two bar lines; bar.

    2. an air or melody.

    3. a slow, dignified dance.

18. Printing. the width, measured in ems or picas, to which a column or page of printed matter is set.

19. Geology. measures, beds; strata.

20. Mathematics. an abstraction of the property of length; a set function assigning to each set of a collection of sets a value, usually having the properties of sigma finiteness and finite additivity, the functional value of the whole collection being greater than zero.

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verb (used with object)

measured, measuring

1. to ascertain the extent, dimensions, quantity, capacity, etc., of, especially by comparison with a standard.

   to measure boundaries.

2. to mark off or deal out by way of measurement (often followed by off orout ).

   to measure out two cups of flour.

3. to estimate the relative amount, value, etc., of, by comparison with some standard.

   to measure the importance of an issue.

4. to judge or appraise by comparison with something or someone else.

   to measure Corneille against Racine.

5. to serve as the measure of.

   Her sacrifices measure the degree of her love.

6. to adjust or proportion.

   to measure a portion to one's liking.

7. to bring into comparison or competition.

   to measure one's strength with another's.

8. to travel over; traverse.

   to measure a room with great strides.

verb (used without object)

measured, measuring

1. to take measurements.

2. to admit of measurement.

3. to be of a specified measure.

verb phrase

1. measure up

   1. to reach a certain standard.

      The exhibition didn't measure up to last year's.

   2. to be capable or qualified.

      As an administrator, he couldn't quite measure up.

idioms

1. beyond measure, too much to be reckoned; immeasurably; extremely.

   The suffering that they endured was beyond measure.

2. in a / some measure, to some extent or degree.

   His conclusion is justified in some measure.

3. for good measure, as an extra.

   In addition to dessert, they served chocolates for good measure.

4. measure one's length, to fall or be knocked down; fall flat.

   He missed a step in the dark and measured his length at the bottom.

5. measure swords,

   1. to test one's preparedness for a contest or encounter.

   2. to battle with swords.

   3. to fight, compete, etc..

      The producer of the poorly reviewed show decided to measure swords with the critics.

6. have / take someone's measure, to judge or assess someone's character, capabilities, etc.; size up.

   During their conversation she was taking his measure as a prospective employee.

measure British  

/ ˈmɛʒə /

noun

1. the extent, quantity, amount, or degree of something, as determined by measurement or calculation

2. a device for measuring distance, volume, etc, such as a graduated scale or container

3. a system of measurement

   give the size in metric measure

4. a standard used in a system of measurements

   the international prototype kilogram is the measure of mass in SI units

5. a specific or standard amount of something

   a measure of grain

   short measure

   full measure

6. a basis or standard for comparison

   his work was the measure of all subsequent attempts

7. reasonable or permissible limit or bounds

   we must keep it within measure

8. degree or extent (often in phrases such as in some measure, in a measure, etc)

   they gave him a measure of freedom

9. (often plural) a particular action intended to achieve an effect

   they took measures to prevent his leaving

10. a legislative bill, act, or resolution

    to bring in a measure

11. music another word for bar 1

12. prosody poetic rhythm or cadence; metre

13. a metrical foot

14. poetic a melody or tune

15. the act of measuring; measurement

16. archaic a dance

17. printing the width of a page or column of type

18. as an extra precaution or beyond requirements

19. to assess the nature, character, quality, etc, of someone

20. (of clothes) made to fit an individual purchaser

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verb

1. to determine the size, amount, etc, of by measurement

2. (intr) to make a measurement or measurements

3. (tr) to estimate or determine

   I measured his strength to be greater than mine

4. (tr) to function as a measurement of

   the ohm measures electrical resistance

5. (tr) to bring into competition or conflict

   he measured his strength against that of his opponent

6. (intr) to be as specified in extent, amount, etc

   the room measures six feet

7. (tr) to travel or move over as if measuring

8. (tr) to adjust or choose

   he measured his approach to suit the character of his client

9. (intr) to allow or yield to measurement

measure More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing measure

• beyond measure
• for good measure
• in some measure
• made to measure
• take someone's measure

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Other Word Forms

• intermeasure verb (used with object)
• measurer noun
• mismeasure verb
• outmeasure verb (used with object)
• premeasure verb (used with object)
• remeasure verb (used with object)
• undermeasure verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of measure

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English mesure, from Middle French, from Latin mēnsūra, equivalent to mēns(us), past participle of mētīrī “to measure, mete” + -ūra -ure

Explanation

To measure something is to figure out how much of it is there. A measure can also be a step toward a goal: take measures to ensure you don't flunk an exam by cracking the books. You can take measures to improve your health: limit sweets, get enough rest, get some exercise, and wash your hands to avoid the spread of germs. The noun also means a standard for comparison. You can measure your time against the good you will do if you volunteer to help out a child via a mentoring program.

Example Sentences

It replaces an existing steel measure that is set to expire at the end of June.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Leaders of several armed and secessionist groups said the three‑day measure was in recognition of the "profound spiritual importance" of the papal visit, which starts on Wednesday, and the need to safeguard civilian life.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

The new research, which draws on 40 years of global trade records and pathogen data, attempts to measure the relationship on a larger scale.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

What’s harder to measure is what comes next — and how long a recovery might take.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

This shortened first measure is called a pickup measure.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• adjust
• assess
• average
• calibrate
• check
• compute
• determine
• estimate
• evaluate
• fit
• gauge
• limit
• mark
• peg
• quantify
• rank
• regulate
• survey
• weigh