measure

Noun

• a container of some standard capacity that is used to obtain fixed amounts of a substance

• measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements

• musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats
  • the orchestra omitted the last twelve bars of the song
    

• (prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse

• a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
  • the schools comply with federal standards
    
  • they set the measure for all subsequent work
    

• the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule
  • the measurements were carefully done
    
  • his mental measurings proved remarkably accurate
    

• a statute in draft before it becomes law
  • they held a public hearing on the bill
    

• how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify

• any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
  • the situation called for strong measures
    
  • the police took steps to reduce crime
    

Verb

• evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of
  • I will have the family jewels appraised by a professional
    
  • access all the factors when taking a risk
    

• have certain dimensions
  • This table surfaces measures 20inches by 36 inches
    

• express as a number or measure or quantity
  • Can you quantify your results?
    

• determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of
  • Measure the length of the wall
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  measuring stick , measuring rod , bar , meter , metre , beat , cadence , standard , criterion , touchstone , measurement , measuring , mensuration , bill , quantity , amount , step , evaluate , valuate , assess , appraise , value , quantify , mensurate , measure out