measure

noun

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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 Phrases Containing measure Learn More About measure

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Biden also signed an unrelated measure, one intended to increase access to baby formula at a time when supplies remain scarce in the United States. — CBS News, 21 May 2022 On Thursday, a $40 billion measure to assist restaurants that struggled during the pandemic failed on those grounds. — Zeke Miller, BostonGlobe.com, 21 May 2022 While a City Council committee on Friday approved Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s curfew measure creating greater restrictions for when minors can be outside in Chicago, Lightfoot had previously signed an executive order with the same restrictions. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2022 But one of the governor’s priorities, a measure that would have given land to Alaska Native military veterans, failed to make it across the finish line. — Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 20 May 2022 The United States banned Russian oil imports in March, and the European Union hopes to announce a similar measure soon. — Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 20 May 2022 The Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a measure that would expand what kind of formula can be purchased using benefits from the federal food aid program for women and babies. — New York Times, 19 May 2022 Congress approved an initial $13.6 billion measure in March. — Alan Fram, ajc, 19 May 2022 Supporters say November measure would accelerate filling of vacancies, critics worry about corruption. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb After Agrawal carefully explains how Twitter attempts to combat and measure spam accounts, Musk responds with a poop emoji. — Jennifer Korn, CNN, 17 May 2022 There have been no life-cycle analyses that fully measure the energy use involved, but the companies say the energy required to power the facilities is a tiny fraction compared to cremation. — Lisa Held, Fortune, 16 May 2022 New York City has taken it a step further and is now using traffic cameras with sound meters that measure decibel levels to automatically ticket noisy cars that violate the city’s noise law. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2022 Earlier this year, the platform enhanced its ability to target and measure its value proposition to advertisers by enabling first and third-party cookies on top of its existing tools. — Laura Forman, WSJ, 13 May 2022 Contrast media, also known as dye, is used virtually every hour in hospitals across the country to help measure arterial blockages around the heart, guide placement of stents in catheter labs, diagnose and treat strokes, and more. — Christopher Rowland, Anchorage Daily News, 12 May 2022 Contrast media, also known as dye, is used virtually every hour in hospitals across the country to help measure arterial blockages around the heart, guide placement of stents in catheter labs, diagnose and treat strokes, and more. — Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 11 May 2022 To simplify measurements, make up a larger blend — for example, 1 ½ cups canola and ½ cup olive oil — and measure out from that. — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2022 Now, lay out the tile on the countertop, using the spacers, and measure against the backsplash’s width and height. — Sal Vaglica, USA TODAY, 8 May 2022 See More

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

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