standard

noun

stan·​dard ˈstan-dərd 

1

: a conspicuous object (such as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an emblem

2

a

: a long narrow tapering flag that is personal to an individual or corporation and bears heraldic devices

b

: the personal flag of the head of a state or of a member of a royal family

c

: an organization flag carried by a mounted or motorized military unit

d

: banner sense 1

3

a

: something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example : criterion

The book is the standard by which all others should be judged.

b

: a level of quality, achievement, performance, etc., that is considered acceptable or desirable

high/low standards

quite slow by today's standards

His work is not up to standard. = His work is below standard. [=his work is not good enough]

see also double standard

4

: something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality

5

a

: the fineness and legally fixed weight of the metal used in coins

b

: the basis of value in a monetary system see also gold standard

6

: a structure built for or serving as a base or support

7

a

: a shrub or herb grown with an erect main stem so that it forms or resembles a tree

b

: a fruit tree grafted on a stock that does not induce dwarfing

8

or standard petal

a

: the upper, large, often lobed petal of a papilionaceous flower (as of a pea or bean plant) : banner sense 6, vexillum sense 3 compare keel entry 2 sense 2b, wing entry 1 sense 2e(2)

b

: one of the three inner usually erect and incurved petals of an iris compare fall entry 2 sense 3f

9

: a musical composition (such as a song) that has become a part of the standard repertoire

10

: a vehicle with a manual transmission : manual

Her new car is a standard.

standardless adjective

Synonyms of standard

• criterion
• benchmark

Choose the Right Synonym for standard

standard, criterion, gauge, yardstick, touchstone mean a means of determining what a thing should be.

standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

Examples of standard in a Sentence

By modern standards, the house is just too small.

This book is the standard by which all others must be judged.

Recent Examples on the Web

The judge immediately sentenced her to one-year probation, the standard for a first-time offense. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 4 June 2026

Clarify the standard, send the clean version, and let your consistency speak. —Pubsubhub User, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2026

While federal law dictates up to 20 years in prison or assaulting pilots or flight attendants, there is no nationwide standard for public transit operators. —Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026

What Santos said next took me aback, even by his outlandish and brazen standards. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French estandard banner, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English standan to stand and probably to Old High German hart hard

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing standard

• below standard
• bog-standard
• double standard
• gold standard
• living standard
• silver standard
• standard-bearer
• standard candle
• standard deviation
• standard error
• standard gauge
• standard-issue
• standard lamp
• standard model
• standard of living
• standard operating procedure
• standard petal
• standard poodle
• standard position
• standard schnauzer
• standard score
• standard time
• the gold standard

Rhymes for standard

• slandered
• meandered
• nonstandard
• substandard

Kids Definition

standard

1 of 2 noun

stan·​dard ˈstan-dərd 

1

a

: a figure used as an emblem by an organized body of people

the eagle was the Roman legion's standard

b

: the personal flag of the ruler of a state

2

a

: something set up by authority or by general consent as a rule for measuring or as a model

a standard of weight

standards of good manners

b

: the basis of value in a monetary system

the gold standard

3

: a structure that serves as a support

a lamp standard

standard

2 of 2 adjective

1

: used as or meeting a standard established by law or custom

standard weight

2

: regularly and widely used

standard practice in the trade

3

: having recognized and permanent value

standard reference works

4

: well established by usage in the speech or writing of the educated and widely recognized as acceptable

standard spelling

Medical Definition

standard

1 of 2 noun

stan·​dard ˈstan-dərd 

: something set up or established by an authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality

standard

2 of 2 adjective

: constituting or conforming to a standard especially as established by law or custom

standard weight

Legal Definition

standard

noun

stan·​dard

1

: something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model, example, or point of reference

the standard of the reasonable person

2

: something established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality

3

: the basis of value in a monetary system