measure

noun

Save Word

mea·sure | \ ˈme-zhər

, ˈmā-

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

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for measure

Synonyms: Noun

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 Psaki indicated the administration would like to see progress with negotiations by Memorial Day, so the House and Senate can clear the measure this summer. — Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, "White House presses GOP to counter with own infrastructure pay-fors," 1 Apr. 2021 Many in the public school system oppose the measure for that reason. — Olivia Krauth, The Courier-Journal, "Education opportunity accounts have come to Kentucky: Here's what to know," 31 Mar. 2021 And liberals who favor strict, European-style firearm controls will express disgust at the measure’s painfully narrow ambition. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: Why Democrats should settle for baby steps on gun control," 31 Mar. 2021 Missouri House Republicans blocked funding for Medicaid expansion multiple times Tuesday — even though Missouri voters passed the measure in a statewide referendum in August. — NBC News, "Missouri voters passed Medicaid expansion. Now state Republicans may not pay for it.," 30 Mar. 2021 Bill Haslam, a Republican, vetoed the measure, citing a 2015 state attorney general’s opinion stating the bill violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution as well as Article I, Section 3 of the Tennessee Constitution. — al, "Tennessee debates making Bible its official state book," 30 Mar. 2021 Behind the scenes, two election lawyers close to the White House and congressional Democrats said Mr. Manchin was not the only one on their side with reservations about the measure. — New York Times, "Democrats Splinter Over Strategy for Pushing Through Voting Rights Bill," 30 Mar. 2021 More than 9,500 Cincinnatians signed a petition to put the measure on the ballot. — Hannah K. Sparling, The Enquirer, "Issue 3: Court orders new ballot language for affordable housing amendment," 30 Mar. 2021 The state was in the midst of a polio epidemic, and lawmakers called the measure a necessary step in protecting children. — Jenna Carlesso, courant.com, "Proposal to eliminate Connecticut’s religious exemption for mandatory vaccines is headed for a vote. Here’s what’s in the bill.," 30 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Anyone looking for phones that can measure the temperature of objects around them is probably familiar with the Caterpillar phones that Bullitt makes. — Chris Smith, BGR, "If you need a rugged phone, Caterpillar’s latest model might do," 1 Apr. 2021 But in high winds like that, the equipment cannot properly measure gas plumes, the state said. — Dallas News, "Texas seeks $1.6 million from Atmos after fatal Dallas gas explosion," 1 Apr. 2021 WalletHub reached out to Kovari and other financial experts asking a series of questions as to how consumers can measure the efficiency of how their money is used. — C. M. Schmidlkofer, Washington Examiner, "New Hampshire gives best rate of return for tax dollars: Report," 1 Apr. 2021 Statistics can measure the change; gauging the impact is harder. — David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, "Essential Politics: Biden’s senior appointments are almost 60% women. He’s on track for a historic milestone," 26 Mar. 2021 Detecting tread wear is complicated since these sensors can't directly measure tread depth. — Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, "Coming soon: Smart tires that could help you drive better," 21 Mar. 2021 Einstein revolutionized physics not by thinking about what exists in the world, but by considering what individuals can possibly measure. — Quanta Magazine, "Quantum Mischief Rewrites the Laws of Cause and Effect," 11 Mar. 2021 But in his walkout basement, with its double-height ceilings, there was a pitcher’s mound and netting, a can of Firm Grip, and a Rapsodo — a machine that can measure the spin rate and axis of any pitch. — New York Times, "The Lawyer Who Became a (Pitching) Ninja," 11 Mar. 2021 The company has set up a testing lab in Taiwan so device makers can measure the performance of their devices with Snapdragon Sound, including audio quality, latency and connectivity. — Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Qualcomm bets on wireless audio with Snapdragon Sound for smartphones, earbuds and headsets," 4 Mar. 2021

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 "act of measuring, instrument for measuring, standard unit of quantity, size, measurable amount, proper proportion, moderation, tempurance," borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin mensūra "act of measuring, dimension determined by measurement, amount, instrument for measuring," from mensus, past participle of mētior, mētīrī "to determine the extent of, mark off by measuring" + -ūra -ure; mētior verbal derivative of an Indo-European noun *meh₁-ti- "act of measuring" (whence Old English mǣth "measure, degree, efficacy," Greek mêtis "measure, skill,, craft," Sanskrit māti- "measure, correct understanding"), nominal derivative of a verbal base *meh₁-, whence, as a reduplicated present, Sanskrit mímite "(s/he) measures, shares," Avestan framimaθā "(s/he) should arrange"

Note: The irregular past participle mensus, alongside a regular derivative mētītus only found in later classical texts, may have been formed by analogy with pensus, past participle of pendere "to weigh."

Verb

Middle English mesuren "to calculate the measurements of, determine the extent of by measuring, apportion, moderate, control, judge," borrowed from Anglo-French mesurer, going back to Late Latin mensūrāre "to calculate the measurements of," derivative of mensūra measure entry 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about measure

Dictionary Entries near measure

Statistics for measure

Last Updated

5 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Measure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/measure. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

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

noun

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

verb

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

noun

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

verb

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

Keep scrolling for more

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ

measure

Definition of measure

Other Words from measure

Synonyms for measure

Examples of measure in a Sentence

First Known Use of measure

History and Etymology for measure

Learn More about measure

Dictionary Entries near measure

Statistics for measure

English Language Learners Definition of measure

Kids Definition of measure

Medical Definition of measure

WORD OF THE DAY

minatory

Test Your Vocabulary

Time Traveler

Learn on the go with our Dictionary and Thesaurus

Set your young readers up for lifelong success

Listen to our new podcast!

'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'?

measure

Definition of measure

Other Words from measure

Synonyms for measure

Examples of measure in a Sentence

First Known Use of measure

History and Etymology for measure

Learn More about measure

The first known use of measure was in the 13th century

How Many Scruples in a Dram?

Dictionary Entries near measure

Phrases Related to measure

Statistics for measure

English Language Learners Definition of measure

Kids Definition of measure

Medical Definition of measure

WORD OF THE DAY

minatory

Test Your Vocabulary

Time Traveler

Learn on the go with our Dictionary and Thesaurus

Set your young readers up for lifelong success

Listen to our new podcast!

'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'?