yardstick

American  

[yahrd-stik] / ˈyɑrdˌstɪk /

noun

1. a stick a yard long, commonly marked with subdivisions, used for measuring.

2. any standard of measurement or judgment.

   Test scores are not the only yardstick of academic achievement.

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yardstick British  

/ ˈjɑːdˌstɪk /

noun

1. a measure or standard used for comparison

   on what kind of yardstick is he basing his criticism?

2. a graduated stick, one yard long, used for measurement

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Etymology

Origin of yardstick

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; yard ¹ + stick ¹

Example Sentences

Shakespeare was still the yardstick by which any actor proved himself.

From The Wall Street Journal

And by any yardstick, from infant mortality to life expectancy, America occupies the cellar among peer countries, including several that many would consider to be inferior.

From MarketWatch

A barrel of Brent, the global oil yardstick, is now selling for about $66, and benchmark U.S. crude for around $61.

From The Wall Street Journal

It now expects an operating loss of one billion euros and a fall in its preferred "net bookings" revenue yardstick to around 1.5 billion euros.

From Barron's

Housel: I want to use money as a tool to give the people I love a better life, and avoid using it as a yardstick for status.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• barometer
• benchmark
• criterion
• indicator
• norm