measured
Americanadjective
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ascertained or apportioned by measure.
The race was over the course of a measured mile.
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accurately regulated or proportioned.
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regular or uniform, as in movement; rhythmical.
to walk with measured strides.
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deliberate and restrained; careful; carefully weighed or considered.
measured language; measured terms.
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in the form of meter or verse; metrical.
adjective
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determined by measurement
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slow, stately, or leisurely
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carefully considered; deliberate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of measured
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at measure, -ed 2
Explanation
Things done in a deliberate, rhythmic way are measured. When you're walking toward a deer in the woods, trying not to scare it off, you'll take slow, measured steps. When you meditate, you take measured breaths and pay attention to the inhale and exhale. And your measured strides up the side of a mountain trail will carry you more quickly to the top than short, erratic bursts of walking and stopping. Measured also means "thoughtful" or "careful," like the measured words you use in your delicately worded resignation letter.
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.
During and after the pandemic, since January 2020, the balanced 60/40 fund has earned you a total of 37% when measured in real, purchasing-power, constant-dollar terms.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 8, 2026
Wildlife officials caught and euthanized two alligators in the area, which measured 12 feet and 13 feet.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026
Fifth-generation wireless networks depend on synchronization measured in about 1.5 millionths of a second across the network.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 5, 2026
"When we've actually measured the levels we've seen it's dropped down a lot, a lot further and faster than we've anticipated."
From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026
I have always compared myself to Quinton and never felt like I measured up.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
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.
