measure

mea·sure | \ ˈme-zhər

How to pronounce measure (audio)

, ˈmā-

How to pronounce measure (audio)

\

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

measured; measuring\ ˈme-zhə-riŋ

How to pronounce measuring (audio)

, 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 More Example Sentences Learn More about measure

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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 The measure would require beverage companies to use 50% recycled content in bottles by 2030. — Dustin Gardiner, SFChronicle.com, "California housing, guns, criminal justice reform: Focus shifts to Gavin Newsom," 15 Sep. 2019 So far, the measure has been adopted into law by Washington state, is in consideration in Massachusetts and will be proposed to the Alabama legislature next year. — Katherine Webb-hehn, al, "Proposed waiting period for firearms aims to save lives of suicidal Alabamians," 15 Sep. 2019 On March 17, the Senate passed the measure by unanimous consent. — Anchorage Daily News, "‘Tactic 8’ in the secret drug industry plan to defeat the DEA: Find a champion in Congress," 14 Sep. 2019 The proposed measures come after New Zealand in April rushed through legislation to ban assault weapons such as AR-15 style rifles. — NBC News, "6 months after mosque shootings, New Zealand plans further restrictions to gun ownership," 13 Sep. 2019 But there’s a lot more to the report cards than the one measure. — Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland.com, "House Bill 6 referendum fight heats up fast: Capitol Letter," 13 Sep. 2019 State lawmakers enacted the measure with the aim of providing tax relief. — Joshua Fechter, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio’s new $2.9 billion budget to fund affordable housing, domestic violence prevention," 12 Sep. 2019 These aren't the only measures the district has taken to curb vaping among students. — Leah Asmelash, CNN, "High schools embrace 'vape detectors' in fight against bathroom vaping," 12 Sep. 2019 Lawmakers approved the Atlantic and Pacific measure 238-189, while the bill to block drilling in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida was approved 248-180. — CBS News, "House approves bill to permanently bar oil drilling off Atlantic and Pacific coasts," 12 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Since then, many expeditions have sought to measure the fissure’s depth. — BostonGlobe.com, "How deep is the deep end of the ocean? The answer turns on an array of factors nearly as wide as the sea itself: the barometric pressure over the site in question, the seawater’s density and temperature, the vagaries of measurement and, perhaps, on whether a world record is at stake.," 17 Sep. 2019 Instead, scientists and explorers typically rely on sound or pressure to measure depth, or both. — Wired, "James Cameron, Victor Vescovo, and the Saga of the Deepest* Solo Dive Ever," 17 Sep. 2019 MOSAiC scientists will be able to measure ice thickness at the same time satellites sweep overhead. — Shannon Hall, Scientific American, "Marooned: Researchers Will Freeze Their Ship into Arctic Ocean Ice for a Year," 17 Sep. 2019 Their device to measure patients only goes up to 6-4. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Torreys junior determined to make most of her height," 16 Sep. 2019 Reported on 13 September at a meeting in Toyama, Japan, the new result halves the previous limit of 2 eV. Physicists have tried to measure the neutrino’s mass for decades. — Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, "Massive, blimplike experiment lowers weight limit on neutrino," 16 Sep. 2019 The pure force of Russell Westbrook is difficult to measure. — Rob Mahoney, SI.com, "Top 100 NBA Players of 2020," 12 Sep. 2019 The sensors are integrated with the building’s light fixtures, which supply power, and come with a low-resolution infrared camera, a Bluetooth networking beacon and sensors to measure energy consumption, air temperature and light levels. — The Economist, "Companies are taking advantage of their new ability to track their workers," 12 Sep. 2019 The new result implies that earlier attempts to measure the proton’s radius in electronic hydrogen tended to overshoot the true value. — Quanta Magazine, "Physicists Finally Nail the Proton’s Size, and Hope Dies," 11 Sep. 2019

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.

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More Definitions for measure

measure

noun

English Language Learners Definition of measure

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an amount or degree of something

: something (such as a cup or a ruler) that is used to measure things

: a unit used in measuring something

measure

verb

English Language Learners Definition of measure (Entry 2 of 2)

: to find out the size, length, or amount of (something)

: to find out the size of (someone) for clothing

: to judge the importance, value, or extent of (something)

See the full definition for measure in the English Language Learners Dictionary

measure

mea·sure | \ ˈme-zhər

\

Kids Definition of measure

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : extent sense 2, degree, amount Our plan did succeed in large measure.

2 : the size, capacity, or quantity of something that has been determined Use equal measures of flour and milk.

3 : something (as a yardstick or cup) used in determining size, capacity, or quantity

4 : a unit used in determining size, capacity, or quantity An inch is a measure of length.

5 : a system of determining size, capacity, or quantity liquid measure

6 : the notes and rests between bar lines on a musical staff

7 : a way of accomplishing something a safety measure The new law is a measure to save energy.

for good measure

: as something added or extra We gave the wall another coat of paint for good measure.

measure

measured; measuring

Kids Definition of measure (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to find out the size, extent, or amount of You should measure the cloth before cutting.

2 : to separate out a fixed amount She measured the rice.

3 : estimate entry 1 I had to measure the distance with my eye.

4 : to bring into comparison Why don't you measure your skill against mine?

5 : to give a determination of size, capacity, or quantity : indicate A thermometer measures temperature.

6 : to have as its size, capacity, or quantity The cloth measures ten meters.

measure up

: to satisfy needs or requirements They did not measure up to expectations.

measure

mea·sure | \ ˈmezh-ər

, ˈmāzh-

\

Medical Definition of measure

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an instrument or utensil for measuring

2 : a standard or unit of measurement also : a system of such measures metric measure

measure

measured; measuring\ ˈmezh-(ə-)riŋ, ˈmāzh-

\

Medical Definition of measure (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to allot or apportion in measured amounts

2 : to ascertain the measurements of

3 : to serve as a measure of a thermometer measures temperature

intransitive verb

: to have a specified measurement

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