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