Main Entry: yard·stick

Pronunciation: \ˈyärd-ˌstik\

Function: noun

Date: 1610

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>

synonyms see standard