yardstick

noun yard·stick \ ˈyärd-ˌstik \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of yardstick

1 a : a graduated measuring stick three feet (0.9144 meter) long

b : a standard basis of calculation

a yardstick for measuring astronomical distances

2 : a standard for making a critical judgment : criterion

measured by the yardstick of her first book

was a great success by any yardstick

See yardstick defined for English-language learners

See yardstick defined for kids

Examples of yardstick in a Sentence

Some feel that test scores aren't an adequate yardstick for judging a student's ability.
Ratings are the yardstick by which TV shows are evaluated by networks.

Recent Examples of yardstick from the Web

But even with all the laurels, the museum’s yardstick of success seems to be the approval of a 7-year-old from Delaware named Oliver.

— mike newall, Philly.com, "Touring the Revolution Museum with its biggest fan: 7-year-old Oliver | Mike Newall," 13 Apr. 2018
For Alaska, the tests are the only common yardstick to gauge how students in grades 4 and 8 stack up to their Outside peers in reading and math.

— tegan hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska students’ math and reading test scores below national average on ‘nation’s report card’," 11 Apr. 2018
The Trump administration has focused on trade deficits as the main yardstick for bilateral economic relations and threatened to impose tariffs if countries don’t take steps to balance trade with Washington.

— william mauldin, WSJ, "U.S. Trading Partners Seek Guidance on How to Avoid Tariffs," 11 Mar. 2018
By other yardsticks at 11, WKMG was seen in the most households, and WFTV actually reached the most viewers across all age groups.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "March ratings: WFTV wins early morning, evening," 29 Mar. 2018
The keys were struck from afar by long objects such as a yardstick, umbrella, fishing rod, rake, squeegee and a broom.

— mark swed, latimes.com, "At the Broad, exploring Jasper Johns' connection to music (with an assist from John Cage)," 15 Mar. 2018
Excess profits are calculated as those earned above a 10% return on capital (excluding goodwill), a yardstick of the maximum that should be possible in any perfectly competitive industry.

— The Economist, "Which firms profit most from America’s health-care system," 15 Mar. 2018
Donald Trump’s yardstick for his own success is going rogue.

— Fortune, "'Dow Vigilantes' Are Retaliating Against President Trump After Tariff Announcement," 6 Mar. 2018
The trade balance is Mr. Trump’s preferred yardstick for measuring economic relationships.

— gerard baker, WSJ, "The 10-Point.," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yardstick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of yardstick

1610

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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yardstick Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of yardstick

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

YARDSTICK Defined for English Language Learners

yardstick

noun

Definition of yardstick for English Language Learners

: a long, flat tool that is one yard long and is used to measure things
: a rule or specific idea about what is acceptable or desirable that is used to judge or measure something