variants
also US gage
plural gauges also gages
1
: an instrument that is used for measuring something
a temperature/rain gauge
the fuel/gas gauge
2
: something that can be used to measure or judge something else
—usually singular —often + of
He does not believe that these tests are an accurate gauge of intelligence.
Home sales provide a gauge of the state of the economy.
3
: the distance between the rails of a railroad
a standard/broad/narrow gauge railroad
4
: the thickness of something (such as a sheet of metal) or the diameter of wire or a screw
20-gauge wire
heavy gauge aluminum
5
: the size of a shotgun based on how big the inside of the barrel is
a 12-gauge shotgun
variants
also US gage
gauges also gages; gauged also gaged; gauging also gaging
1
: to make a judgment about (something)
Home sales provide a useful way of gauging the overall state of the economy.
He accurately gauged the mood of the voters.
I was gauging her reaction to the news.
2
: to measure (something) exactly
instruments for gauging temperature and humidity
Cite this Entry
“Gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/gauge. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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