measure

noun

mea·sure | \ˈme-zhər,

Definition of measure

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : an adequate or due portion all too few of the British actresses … have received their measure of remembrance — Saturday Review

(2) : a moderate degree also : moderation, temperance

(3) : a fixed or suitable limit : bounds rich beyond measure

b : the dimensions, capacity, or amount of something ascertained by measuring took his measure for a coat

c : an estimate of what is to be expected (as of a person or situation) the measure of their tragedy is now beyond our imagination— G. F. Kennan

d(1) : a measured quantity

(2) : amount, degree giving children a greater measure of freedom

2a : an instrument (such as a yardstick) or utensil (such as a graduated cup) for measuring

b(1) : a standard or unit of measurement — see Weights and Measures Table

(2) : a system of standard units of measure metric measure

3 : the act or process of measuring settled by a measure made by a surveyor

4a(1) : melody, tune

(2) : dance especially : a slow and stately dance

b : rhythmic structure or movement : cadence: such as

(1) : poetic rhythm measured by temporal (see temporal entry 1 sense 3) quantity or accent specifically : meter

(2) : musical time

c(1) : a grouping of a specified number of musical beats located between two consecutive vertical lines on a staff

(2) : a metrical unit : foot

5 : an exact divisor of a number 6 being the greatest common measure of 42 and 12

6 : a basis or standard of comparison wealth is not a measure of happiness

7 : a step planned or taken as a means to an end took strong measures against the rebels specifically : a proposed legislative act sponsored an anti-inflation measure in the senate

for good measure

: in addition to the minimum required : as an extra added another illustration for good measure

measure

verb

measured; measuring\ ˈme-zhə-riŋ ,

ˈmā- ; ˈmezh-riŋ, ˈmāzh- \

Definition of measure (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to choose or control with cautious restraint : regulate measure his acts

b : to regulate by a standard : govern

2 : to allot or apportion in measured amounts measure out three cups

3 : to lay off by making measurements

4 : to ascertain the measurements of

5 : to estimate or appraise by a criterion measures his skill against his rival

6 archaic : to travel over : traverse

7 : to serve as a means of measuring a thermometer measures temperature

intransitive verb

1 : to take or make a measurement

2 : to have a specified measurement

Other Words from measure Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about measure

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Other Words from measure

Verb

measurability \ ˌme-zhə-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē ,

ˌmā- ; ˌmezh-rə-, ˌmāzh- \ noun

measurable \ ˈme-zhə-rə-bəl ,

ˈmā- ; ˈmezh-rə-, ˈmāzh- \ adjective

measurably \ -blē

\ adverb

measurer \ -zhər-ər

\ noun

Examples of measure in a Sentence

Noun

She felt equal measures of hope and fear. Their actions were motivated in large measure by a desire for revenge. An occasion like this calls for some measure of decorum. The meter is a measure of length. The dictionary includes a table of weights and measures. The legislature has passed a measure aimed at protecting consumers. The governor has proposed a number of cost-cutting measures. They were forced to resort to desperate measures. We need to take measures to protect ourselves.

Verb

using a ruler to measure a piece of paper an instrument for measuring air pressure mental abilities measured by IQ testing He's being measured for a new suit. His success cannot be measured solely on the basis of his popularity. The cloth measures 3 meters. The room measures 15 feet wide by 30 feet long.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

China also remains somewhat reliant on big-budget U.S. films to keep its cinemas filled year-round, a form of mutual interdependence that should supply some measure of insulation — at least for now. — Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, "Will Hollywood Get Caught in Trump's China Trade War Crossfire?," 13 July 2018 Despite the decline in sales, demand appears strong by other measures with sellers fetching 97.4 percent of their asking price for homes sold in June, up from 96.6 percent in June 2017, but down from May’s record-setting 97.5 percent. — Meredith Cohn, baltimoresun.com, "With inventory tight, home prices continue to rise in Baltimore region," 11 July 2018 Some consider them a nuisance and attempt trapping and other nuisance-control measures. — Cheryl Conley, Houston Chronicle, "The top dog: Coyotes are interesting canines," 10 July 2018 Privacy - Terms Other measures curb the hiring of workers in the private sector. — Nora Gámez Torres, miamiherald, "Cuba imposes more taxes and controls on private sector and increases censorship on the arts," 10 July 2018 Meanwhile, the November ballot could potentially become more crowded with other measures being proposed to address homelessness. — Lori Weisberg, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Will convention center initiative qualify for ballot? Signatures are turned in," 9 July 2018 Under the law, these agencies can ban hunting or harvesting, restrict land uses within a species’ range, and designate critical habitat, among other measures. — Peter S. Alagona, Outside Online, "The Endangered Species Act Needs a Reboot," 9 July 2018 That means in an all-out, tit-for-tat trade war, China may have to retaliate with measures other than tariffs. — Bloomberg, Fortune, "Trump's Trade War Has Its First Victims in the U.S. and China. Here's Who They Are," 9 July 2018 In response to this disheartening prognosis, many communities have committed to reinvigorating their languages through documentation, immersive education and other measures. — Adam Cohen, Smithsonian, "This Musician’s Songs Give Powerful Voice to a Language in Crisis," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Oddities include a medieval-looking skullcap from the 19th century that measured the bumps on a person’s head to determine intellectual traits. — Washington Post, "Psychology museum explores what makes us human," 7 July 2018 The evidence comes from portable devices that measure the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide that players inhale and exhale, said Barbara Ainsworth, a professor at Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions. — Tom Avril, Philly.com, "World Cup athletes burn a lot of energy. But some sports are even more demanding," 6 July 2018 Our group estimated that between forty and fifty men were being held in a cage that measured roughly ten feet by thirty feet. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "Sen. Elizabeth Warren describes DHS border facilities: “cage after cage after cage”," 29 June 2018 His group hopes to launch a satellite by 2021 that will measure 80 percent of global oil and gas production. — Zack Colman, Scientific American, "Gas Industry Grapples with Culpability," 29 June 2018 Have on hand a round Dutch oven with a lid that measures 8½ to 9 inches across. — Sheryl Julian, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipe: Irish cooks came to this country knowing how to make brown bread with their eyes closed," 28 June 2018 And next week, the Fed will say whether Deutsche Bank passed a stress test that measures the adequacy of its capital and risk controls. 1. — Steven Arons, Bloomberg.com, "Why Deutsche Bank Can’t Just Shake Off Its Problems," 24 June 2018 Lydia was also equipped with a tag that measures water temperature and depth. — Brian J. Skerry, National Geographic, "Why Great White Sharks Hang Out in Warm Whirlpools," 19 June 2018 That effort has also been delayed, because the city is just now implementing a system that can qualitatively measure data across its work force programs. — Jeffery C. Mays, New York Times, "100,000 New Jobs for New York: Will Enough Go to Poorer Workers?," 19 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'measure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for measure

Noun

Middle English mesure, from Anglo-French, from Latin mensura, from mensus, past participle of metiri to measure; akin to Old English mǣth measure, Greek metron

Verb

see measure entry 1

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