measurement

American  

[mezh-er-muhnt] / ˈmɛʒ ər mənt /

noun

• measurements
  plural

1. the act of measuring.

2. a measured dimension.

3. extent, size, etc., ascertained by measuring.

4. a system of measuring or measures.

   liquid measurement.

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measurement British  

/ ˈmɛʒəmənt /

noun

1. the act or process of measuring

2. an amount, extent, or size determined by measuring

3. a system of measures based on a particular standard

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measurement Scientific  

/ mĕzh′ər-mənt /

1. A method of determining quantity, capacity, or dimension. Several systems of measurement exist, each one comprising units whose amounts have been arbitrarily set and agreed upon by specific groups. While the United States Customary System remains the most commonly used system of measurement in the United States, the International System is accepted all over the world as the standard system for use in science.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• mismeasurement
  noun
• premeasurement
  noun
• remeasurement
  noun
• self-measurement
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• measurements
  plural

Etymology

Origin of measurement

First recorded in 1745–55; measure + -ment

Explanation

Taking a measurement involves figuring out how long something is or what it weighs or how fast it is. Measurements usually require something like a ruler or a stop watch. When you step on the scale to check your weight, you're getting a measurement. When you pull out a ruler and measure a piece of paper, you're making a measurement. Astronomers make measurements of how far away other planets and stars are. In the Olympics, a timer does a measurement of who's fastest, to see who won a race. Anytime you're using a measuring device to come up with a number for something, you're taking a measurement.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

measurement measurements

One measurement, known as T1rho, suggested that cartilage in the inner knee deteriorated more slowly among participants who changed their walking pattern.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

A key measurement involved determining how much the system's objects move in response to their mutual gravitational attraction.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

If the measurement is higher or lower than “ideal,” the app provides a short blurb about what that could mean, like I could have slept poorly or had too much caffeine.

From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2026

However, Chris Weston at Pepperstone added that "the discrepancy may reflect differences in revenue measurement rather than an outright deterioration in OpenAI's underlying business".

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

It thus requires not one measurement but two.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Obtaining these measurements requires instruments capable of distinguishing extremely fine details in the light collected from distant planetary atmospheres.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

The new measurements show that a remarkably large amount of its mass is packed into its central region.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

The early results show good agreement with existing measurements, indicating that the new altimeter is operating as expected.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

Beyond its striking photographs, Sentinel-3C has already begun demonstrating its ability to gather precise scientific measurements.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

Nathan looked at the notes on his phone; once he got to reception, he’d upload his measurements to the cloud.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Related Words

• amount
• analysis
• appraisal
• assessment
• density
• dimension
• evaluation
• frequency
• height
• measure
• size
• survey
• weight