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 Then, the measure hurdled another two-year fight at the Supreme Court, where key provisions, including teenage access to contraceptives, were watered-down.
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David Pierson, Los Angeles Times, "The pandemic is fueling a baby boom in the Philippines. For some, that’s bad news," 6 Jan. 2021 The measure would massively scale up investments in research and development of clean energy technologies, including carbon capture, nuclear energy, wind, solar, and battery storage, through 2030.
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Josh Siegel, Washington Examiner, "Daily on Energy: The lawmakers who will shape energy and climate battles in 2021," 4 Jan. 2021 The measure passed the House last week but was stonewalled by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as of press time.
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NOLA.com, "Gambit's Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down for Jan. 5," 4 Jan. 2021 The measure protects the companies from being sued by anyone claiming to be harmed by a post.
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Editors, USA TODAY, "Senate's veto override vote, New Year's Day, minimum wage jumps: 5 things to know Friday," 1 Jan. 2021 That measure included major tax cuts, including ones that benefited extremely wealthy Americans.
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Morgan Watkins, The Courier-Journal, "McConnell under pressure from other Republicans over $2,000 checks," 1 Jan. 2021 The measure also creates a program that would offer monetary awards to tipsters who voluntarily provide original information to the Treasury or Justice Department about violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.
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Jack Hagel, WSJ, "Defense-Bill Override Paves Way for Overhaul of Anti-Money-Laundering Rules," 1 Jan. 2021 Whitmer said the measure posed substantial safety risks, in the event there was as fire or spill and no gas station attendant was present.
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Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, "Whitmer vetoes 13 bills, says pandemic measure endangers 'lives of countless Michiganders'," 31 Dec. 2020 The measure making sales legal passed 6-3 in August.
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Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, "No shortage of news or drama in Naperville in 2020, as our top 10 stories of the year show," 31 Dec. 2020 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
11 Jan 2021
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Measure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/measure. Accessed 17 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
See more words from the same century