yardstick

yard·stick

noun \ˈyärd-ˌstik\

Definition of YARDSTICK

1

a : a graduated measuring stick three feet (0.9144 meter) long b : a standard basis of calculation <a yardstick for measuring astronomical distances>

2

: a standard for making a critical judgment : criterion <measured by the yardstick of her first book> <was a great success by any yardstick>

Examples of YARDSTICK

1. Some feel that test scores aren't an adequate yardstick for judging a student's ability.
2. Ratings are the yardstick by which TV shows are evaluated by networks.

First Known Use of YARDSTICK

1610

Related to YARDSTICK

Synonyms: bar, barometer, benchmark, criterion, gold standard, grade, mark, measure, metric, par, touchstone, standard

Related Words: case, example, instance; average, norm, rule; acme, apex, meridian, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith

Near Antonyms: aberration, abnormality, deviation

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See Synonym Discussion at standard

Rhymes with YARDSTICK

airsick, big stick, bluetick, bootlick, boychick, brainsick, broomstick, carsick, Chadwick, chick flick, chopstick, cowlick, crabstick, dabchick, deer tick, detick, dik-dik, dipstick, dog tick, drop-kick, drumstick, ear pick, firebrick, fish stick, flagstick, Fosdick, free kick, frog kick, goal kick, goldbrick, greensick, handpick, hat trick, hayrick, heartsick, homesick, ice pick, joss stick, joystick, lipstick, lovesick, matchstick, muzhik, nightstick, nitpick, nonstick, nutpick, odd trick, oil slick, Old Nick, outslick, peacenik, pigstick, pinprick, placekick, Prestwick, quick kick, redbrick, Renwick, rubric, salt lick, seasick, self-stick, shashlik, sidekick, slapstick, squib kick, Tajik, toothpick, topkick, unpick, unstick, uptick, wood tick