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 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 \ ˈme-zhə-rə-blē

, ˈmā- ; ˈmezh-rə- , ˈmāzh- \ adverb

measurer \ ˈme-zhər-ər

, ˈmā- ; ˈmezh-rə- , ˈmāzh- \ noun

Synonyms for measure

Synonyms: Noun

expedient, means, move, shift, step

Synonyms: Verb

gauge (also gage), scale, span

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

These new ad-transparency measures illuminate the role in Facebook marketing of other firms collecting and sharing your information. — Rob Pegoraro, USA TODAY, "How you can see which companies found you on Facebook," 13 July 2019 Passage of the measure with support from liberal Democrats — and no Republicans — could set up another difficult showdown between Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and her left flank. — Catie Edmondson, New York Times, "House Passes $733 Billion Defense Bill Checking Trump’s War Powers," 12 July 2019 Even if these measures are successful in preventing further mortalities, the future of the North Atlantic right whale remains uncertain. — Nick Hawkins, National Geographic, "6 recent deaths push rare whales closer to extinction," 11 July 2019 Beyond just questionable related party transactions, various fundamental governance norms and laws are not being adhered to and this is inevitably going to lead to unfortunate outcomes unless effective measures are taken today. — Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, "A promoter has raised serious governance issues with India’s largest airline," 10 July 2019 Why despite all the measures taken by the authorities are people still dying and crucially, what, if anything, can be done about it? — Dan Snierson, EW.com, "Shark Week 2019 schedule: Your guide to all 18 specials," 10 July 2019 The league passed the measure after informing teams last month that coaches may be able to challenge a personal foul charged to their team, a called out-of-bounds violation, a goaltending violation or a basket-interference violation. — Alaa Abdeldaiem, SI.com, "Report: NBA Board of Governors Approve Coaches Challenge Flags for 2019-20 Season," 9 July 2019 The parking requirement was tucked into a sweeping elections package during the waning days of the legislative session in early May. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure (SB 7066), and the new law went into effect on July 1. — Dara Kam, orlandosentinel.com, "Supporters of early voting on campuses challenge new election law," 9 July 2019 What would cause this situation, with the area beneath Oregon relatively less active by all these measures? — The Conversation, oregonlive.com, "Earthquake risk along NW coast is not the same for all areas," 8 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the sub was on a research mission to measure sea depths in the Barents Sea. — Fox News, "Scientists discover radiation leak '100,000 times normal level' from Russian nuclear sub wreck," 12 July 2019 No Child Left Behind legislation made standardized reading and math scores the yardstick for measuring progress, the time devoted to both subjects has only grown. — Natalie Wexler, The Atlantic, "Elementary Education Has Gone Terribly Wrong," 9 July 2019 The company buries sensors in soil to measure moisture and salinity. — Brittany Meiling, San Diego Union-Tribune, "For the love of farms: EvoNexus head joins startup GroGuru’s board — a first for Rory Moore," 2 July 2019 In recent years, enthusiasm for the technology has sparked shortages of the depth-measuring sensor, acquisitions of startups developing it and more than a billion dollars of investments. — Matt Mcfarland, CNN, "Most self-driving companies say this tech is crucial. Elon Musk disagrees.," 17 June 2019 Catch a glimpse of the custom #GiorgioArmaniPrivé wedding gowns and #GiorgioArmani made to measure suit designed for Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger’s wedding in California. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Katherine Schwarzenegger Wore a Gorgeous Second Wedding Dress by Armani," 12 June 2019 Kids come home There aren't statistics yet to measure whether the program has been effective. — Mary Jo Pitzl, Arizona Republic, "The system took these parents' kids away. Now they're helping other parents get theirs back," 9 June 2019 As agreed upon by scientists and representatives from around 60 countries last year, the world's measuring systems are shifting away from using physical standards. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Why the World's Measuring Systems Just Changed—and What It Means," 20 May 2019 Auburn has never placed in the Top 10, though that’s likely due to the fact that the Tigers don’t compete in many sports, such as men’s soccer, either men’s or women’s lacrosse, or rowing — all of which are measured. — Sam Blum | Sblum@al.com, al.com, "Auburn places No. 37 in Directors Cup, measuring yearly athletic success," 28 June 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.