gauge

[ geyj ]

verb (used with object)

, gauged, gaug·ing.

1. to determine the exact dimensions, capacity, quantity, or force of; measure.
2. to appraise, estimate, or judge.

   Synonyms: calculate, value, assess, evaluate

3. to make conformable to a standard.
4. to mark or measure off; delineate.
5. to gradually stretch (a pierced body part, such as the earlobe) by wearing increasingly large objects in the opening:

   I started gauging my ears recently and am having them stretched every two weeks.

6. to prepare or mix (plaster) with a definite proportion of plaster of Paris and mortar.
7. to chip or rub (bricks or stones) to a uniform size or shape.

noun

1. a standard of measure or measurement.
2. a standard dimension, size, or quantity.
3. any device or instrument for measuring, registering measurements, or testing something, especially for measuring a dimension, quantity, or mechanical accuracy:

   pressure gauge;

   marking gauge.

4. a means of estimating or judging; criterion; test.
5. extent; scope; capacity:

   trying to determine the gauge of his own strength.

6. 1. a plug, stud, or other piece of jewelry worn in a pierced body part in order to stretch it:

      He had a silver and black gauge in his ear, centered in the elongated lobe.

   2. a standard size of such a piercing or piece of jewelry, in a system in which a lower number indicates a larger diameter (often used in combination):

      I recently went from a 10-gauge to an 8-gauge tongue piercing.

      Once you reach a certain gauge, your holes probably won’t shrink down to their original size.

7. Ordnance. a unit of measure of the internal diameter of a shotgun barrel, determined by the number of spherical lead bullets of a diameter equal to that of the bore that are required to make one pound:

   a twelve-gauge shotgun.

8. Railroads. the distance between the inner edges of the heads of the rails in a track, usually 4 feet 8.5 inches (1.4 meters) standard gauge, but sometimes more broad gauge and sometimes less narrow gauge.
9. the distance between a pair of wheels on an axle.
10. the thickness or diameter of various, usually thin, objects, as the thickness of sheet metal or the diameter of a wire or screw.
11. the fineness of a knitted fabric as expressed in loops per every 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters):

    15 denier, 60 gauge stockings.

12. Nautical. the position of one vessel as being to the windward weather gauge or to the leeward lee gauge of another vessel on an approximately parallel course.
13. Building Trades. the portion of the length of a slate, tile, etc., left exposed when laid in place.
14. the amount of plaster of Paris mixed with mortar or common plaster to hasten the set.

gauge

/ ɡeɪdʒ /

verb

1. to measure or determine the amount, quantity, size, condition, etc, of
2. to estimate or appraise; judge
3. to check for conformity or bring into conformity with a standard measurement, dimension, etc

noun

1. a standard measurement, dimension, capacity, or quantity
2. any of various instruments for measuring a quantity

   a pressure gauge

3. any of various devices used to check for conformity with a standard measurement
4. a standard or means for assessing; test; criterion
5. scope, capacity, or extent
6. the diameter of the barrel of a gun, esp a shotgun
7. the thickness of sheet metal or the diameter of wire
8. the distance between the rails of a railway track: in Britain 4 ft 8 1 2 in. (1.435 m)
9. the distance between two wheels on the same axle of a vehicle, truck, etc
10. nautical the position of a vessel in relation to the wind and another vessel. One vessel may be windward ( weather gauge ) or leeward ( lee gauge ) of the other
11. the proportion of plaster of Paris added to mortar to accelerate its setting
12. the distance between the nails securing the slates, tiles, etc, of a roof
13. a measure of the fineness of woven or knitted fabric, usually expressed as the number of needles used per inch
14. the width of motion-picture film or magnetic tape

adjective

1. See absolute
   (of a pressure measurement) measured on a pressure gauge that registers zero at atmospheric pressure; above or below atmospheric pressure See also absolute

   5 bar gauge

Derived Forms

• ˈgaugeably, adverb
• ˈgaugeable, adjective

Other Words From

• gauge·a·ble adjective
• gauge·a·bly adverb
• mis·gauge verb (used with object) misgauged misgauging
• mul·ti·gauge adjective
• re·gauge verb (used with object) regauged regauging
• un·gauged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gauge¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Old North French ( French jauge ), from Germanic

Word History and Origins

Origin of gauge¹

C15: from Old Northern French, probably of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

Scientists have long known that the brain harbors the biological equivalent of a car’s fuel gauge—a complex homeostatic system that allows our gray matter to track the state of our basic biological needs, like those for food, water, and sleep.

From MIT Technology Review

Once the temperature gauge on top let us know that the grill was adequately heated, we loaded the 285-square-inch grate with all our meat at once.

From Outside Online

Simultaneous increases in equity and volatility gauges are unusual, and a reason for concern for some.

From Fortune

They assess how financially healthy a company is and act as an independent gauge, letting investors in a company know how likely that company is to pay back its debt, for instance.

From Voice of San Diego

Use this activity from NASA to design and build your own rain gauge.

From Science News For Students

It took the entire day, but the slow pace indicated that it was probably a test to gauge public reaction.

From The Daily Beast

So, he approached his nomadic friends to gauge their interest in the collaboration.

From The Daily Beast

To gauge his level of truthfulness, I asked, “So, you wouldn't mind if I included your donor identification number in the story?”

From The Daily Beast

The only gauge of normality that young people have is their observation of each other.

From The Daily Beast

When a soldier is hit by an IED the gauge records the event.

From The Daily Beast

The gauge of railways in Great Britain was not fixed upon any scientific principle.

From Project Gutenberg

Trevithick determined in future to use two safety-valves, and also a safety steam-gauge.

From Project Gutenberg

The Commonwealth has for some time been considering the conversion of the lines into one standard gauge, the British gauge of 4ft.

From Project Gutenberg

The leaf is held in one hand and the gauge and knife in the other, the edge of the leaf being drawn through the gauge.

From Project Gutenberg

For this purpose there is used in most localities a small gauge held between the thumb and index fingers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appraise
• ascertain
• assess
• calculate
• calibrate
• determine
• evaluate
• guess
• quantify
• take account of
• weigh