measure

noun mea·sure \ ˈme-zhər , ˈmā- \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Examples: measure in a Sentence

Definition of measure

1 a (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

2 a : 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

4 a (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 ¹temporal 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

See measure defined for English-language learners

See measure defined for kids

Examples of measure in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of measure from the Web

One measure WeWork uses is the net capital expenditure involved in opening new space.

— The Economist, "Big corporates’ quest to be hip is helping WeWork," 12 July 2018
The measure will be on Idaho's general election ballot Nov. 6.

— nicole blanchard, idahostatesman, "Idaho will vote this fall on legalizing horse-race gambling machines," 10 July 2018
The actual measures that have been enacted are considerably smaller in scale.

— matthew yglesias, Vox, "The impact of Trump’s trade wars, explained," 9 July 2018
Turkey says the measures are necessary to combat threats to national security.

— NBC News, "Turkey sacks thousands through emergency decree as Erdogan cements power," 8 July 2018
The practice is common, and is one measure of the industry's effort to influence California politicians.

— angela hart, sacbee, "Doctors, nurses, insurance companies spending big to influence California's health care future," 6 July 2018
But for some activists, the measures are not enough.

— aritz parra, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Macho' Spanish bull festival feels heat from #MeToo, animal rights activists," 6 July 2018
But for some activists, the measures are not enough.

— Time, "Issues of Sexual Abuse and Animal Rights Dominate This Year's Pamplona Bull Festival," 6 July 2018
Residents should take precautions during any mosquito season, Noack noted, but preventative measures are particularly important this season with the high number of mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile.

— patricia dillon, Houston Chronicle, "Montgomery County officials find 38 cases of mosquitoes with West Nile Virus; urge taking precautions," 6 July 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.

Origin and Etymology of measure

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year