mea·sure | \ ˈme-zhər 
, ˈmā- \
, 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
(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
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
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
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
verbmeasured; measuring\ ˈme-zhə-riŋ , ˈmā- ; ˈmezh-riŋ , ˈmāzh- \
, ˈmā- ; ˈmezh-riŋ , ˈmāzh- \Definition of measure (Entry 2 of 2)
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
7 : to serve as a means of measuring
a thermometer measures temperature
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Other Words from measure
Verb
measurer \ ˈme-zhər-ər , ˈmā- ; ˈmezh-rə- , ˈmāzh- \ noun
, ˈmā- ; ˈmezh-rə- , ˈmāzh- \ noun
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Monday that nearly every measure that health officials use to track the virus’ grip on the community is worsening.
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Marina Starleaf Riker, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio shatters record for patients hospitalized with COVID-19," 18 Jan. 2021 Unemployment benefits, included in the initial $2 trillion coronavirus relief measure passed in March, eventually expired while Congress delayed the second round of aid.
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Cameron Sperance, BostonGlobe.com, "A lower threat of evictions, foreclosures in Mass., but trouble looms," 17 Jan. 2021 Blumenthal said Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ previous public support for the concept behind his and Booker’s measure is an indicator of the incoming Biden administration’s likely stance.
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Steve Berkowitz, USA TODAY, "Senators frustrated by NCAA's 'striking hypocrisy' in failure to act on athletes' benefits," 15 Jan. 2021 State senator Julie Slama proposed legislation earlier this month that would reimpose the winner-take-all method for choosing Nebraska’s electoral votes, as well as a voter ID measure.
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Matt Ford, The New Republic, "The Republican Plot to Rig the 2024 Election," 15 Jan. 2021 In December, Congress finalized another coronavirus relief measure that provided an additional $284 billion for the program.
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Washington Post, "Debt collectors, payday lenders collected over $500 million in federal pandemic relief," 15 Jan. 2021 Also at the meeting, the Council approved a measure allowing St. Tammany Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 to handle fire and emergency dispatch for the city.
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Andrew Canulette, NOLA.com, "Slidell's Fritchie Park gym will be COVID-19 vaccine site, mayor says," 14 Jan. 2021 The county started tracking companies violating health orders by forming a business compliance unit in November, after the San Mateo Board of Supervisors approved a measure allowing for the creation of such a team in August.
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Shwanika Narayan, SFChronicle.com, "Here are the San Mateo County businesses fined for violating COVID-19 orders," 14 Jan. 2021 Lawmakers also approved a measure allowing for in-home liquor delivery, also sponsored by Zalewski.
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Cole Lauterbach, Washington Examiner, "A look at what passed and what didn’t in Illinois’ frantic final hours of session," 14 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb These devices measure blood oxygen levels and can be used to determine which COVID-19 patients need supplemental oxygen—insights that benefit many more patients than ventilators.
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Linda Nordling, Science | AAAS, "A Kenyan health economist investigates the pandemic's puzzling course in his country," 29 Dec. 2020 Also measure each side of the opening and add an inch to the longest measurement for the minimum screen height.
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Jennifer Blair, chicagotribune.com, "The best fireplace screen," 23 Dec. 2020 These boards measure 18 x 12 inches and are 1.5-inches thick.
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Popular Science, "High-quality cutting boards for every cook," 22 Dec. 2020 The building will measure about 7,500 square feet and contain eight exam rooms.
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Bob Sandrick, cleveland, "Broad View Eye Center to build new office across from proposed Aldi site in Broadview Heights," 19 Dec. 2020 The robot is souped up with cutting-edge technology to measure the conditions on the surface and take a look at what's happening beneath the crust, according to NASA.
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Rasha Aridi, Smithsonian Magazine, "Mars InSight Lander Offers a Sneak Peek at the Red Planet’s Inner Layers," 17 Dec. 2020 That includes establishing a way to measure emissions and creating a database in which manufacturers are required to disclose them.
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New York Times, "How Biden Can Move His Economic Agenda Without Congress," 15 Dec. 2020 Employee and guest screening will measure and assess signs and symptoms of infection.
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San Diego Union-Tribune, "Casinos focus on health and safety protocols," 13 Dec. 2020 In the role, Abayomi will lead analytics globally across WMG, offering insights that will allow the company to measure and maximize success for its artists and songwriters.
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Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, "Executive Turntable: 10K Projects Appoints New Head of Creative, Warner Chappell Taps China GM," 4 Dec. 2020
See MoreThese 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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Learn More about measure
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
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The origins of 8 units of measurement
Dictionary Entries near measure
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for measure
Last Updated
23 Jan 2021
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Measure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/measure. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.
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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
verbEnglish 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
nounmea·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
verbmeasured; 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
nounmea·sure | \ ˈmezh-ər , ˈmāzh- \
, ˈmāzh- \Medical Definition of measure
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : an instrument or utensil for measuring
measure
verbmeasured; measuring\ ˈmezh-(ə-)riŋ, ˈmāzh- \
\Medical Definition of measure (Entry 2 of 2)
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
: to have a specified measurement
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Time Traveler for measure
The first known use of measure was in the 13th century
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