Definition

1. Noun:

   • A measuring instrument: A device used to measure and display a specific physical quantity, such as thickness, pressure, or amount.
   • A standard measure: An accepted or established unit, dimension, or scale used for measurement or comparison.
   • The thickness, size, or capacity of something: The diameter of a wire, the distance between railroad rails, or the bore of a firearm.
   • A means of estimation or judgment: A standard or criterion used to assess something.

2. Verb:

   • To measure precisely: To determine the exact dimensions, amount, or capacity of something using a standard instrument.
   • To estimate or judge: To form an approximate judgment or assessment of a situation, quantity, or person's capabilities.
   • To adapt to a standard: To make or adjust something to conform to a specific measurement or specification.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The fuel gauge showed the tank was almost empty. (The instrument measuring fuel indicated a low level.)
  • What is the gauge of this electrical wire? (What is the thickness or diameter of this wire?)
  • The railway uses a standard gauge of 56.5 inches. (The distance between the rails is set at that standard measurement.)
  • Public opinion is a poor gauge of scientific truth. (Public opinion is an unreliable standard for judging scientific fact.)

• Verb:

  • The technician will gauge the pressure in the pipes. (The technician will measure the pressure precisely.)
  • It's difficult to gauge her reaction from her expression. (It's hard to estimate or judge her reaction based on her face.)
  • The bricks were carefully gauged to ensure uniform size. (The bricks were measured and rubbed to achieve a consistent size.)

Advanced Usage

• "To take the gauge of (someone/something)": To assess or form an opinion about someone's character, abilities, or a situation.

  • The interview is designed to take the gauge of the candidate's problem-solving skills. (The interview aims to assess the candidate's abilities.)

• "To have the weather gauge of" (Nautical, historical): To hold a position of advantage, especially relative to the wind and an opponent.

  • The smaller fleet had the weather gauge, allowing it to control the engagement. (The fleet held the advantageous position relative to the wind.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gage (Noun/Verb): An alternative, chiefly American, spelling for "gauge," especially in technical contexts. Also can mean a pledge or a challenge.
• Gauger (Noun): A person or device that gauges, especially a customs officer who measures the contents of casks.
• Gauging (Noun): The act or process of measuring.

Synonyms

• Noun: Measure, standard, criterion, meter, indicator, scale, benchmark.
• Verb: Measure, calculate, assess, evaluate, estimate, judge, compute.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

(Note: "Gauge" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meanings are typically expressed directly or with prepositions like "gauge by" or "gauge from.") - To gauge by/from something: To use a particular piece of information as a basis for estimation. - We can gauge the popularity of the policy by the number of supportive letters. (We can estimate the policy's popularity using that data.)

Related Idioms

• A gauge of: Something that serves as a measure or indicator of something else.

  • Voter turnout is often seen as a gauge of political engagement. (Turnout is considered an indicator of engagement.)

• To be in/out of gauge: To conform (or not) to the required standard measurement, especially in rail transport.

  • The old rolling stock was out of gauge for the new railway line. (The old train cars did not match the required track measurements.)

Noun

1. diameter of a tube or gun barrel
2. the thickness of wire
3. the distance between the rails of a railway or between the wheels of a train
4. accepted or approved instance or example of a quantity or quality against which others are judged or measured or compared
5. a measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.

Verb

1. mix in specific proportions
   • gauge plaster
2. adapt to a specified measurement
   • gauge the instruments
3. measure precisely and against a standard
   • the wire is gauged
4. determine the capacity, volume, or contents of by measurement and calculation
   • gauge the wine barrels
5. rub to a uniform size
   • gauge bricks
6. judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
   • I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds