gauging

American

[gey-jing] / ˈgeɪ dʒɪŋ /

noun

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.

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

But gauging the mood of your audience is critical.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 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

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023