Definition

1. Noun:

   • A level of quality or attainment: A required or agreed level of quality, achievement, or measure used for comparison.
   • An idea or thing used as a measure, norm, or model: A principle or example against which things are judged or compared.
   • A distinctive flag or banner: A flag, especially one used as a rallying point or symbol of a group or nation.
   • An upright support or pole: A vertical pole or beam used as a structural support, such as for a lamp.
   • The system of monetary value: The basis for the value of money in an economic system (e.g., the gold standard).

2. Adjective:

   • Used or accepted as normal or average: Conforming to the usual, regular, or accepted type, size, or model.
   • Established as a model of authority or excellence: Widely recognized as correct, authoritative, or of high quality.
   • Regularly and widely used: Commonly supplied, available, or employed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The factory's products meet high safety standards. (The products achieve the required level of safety quality.)
  • She sets a high standard for her students. (She establishes a demanding model for achievement.)
  • The soldiers gathered around their standard. (The soldiers assembled near their unit's flag.)
  • The lamp standard was made of wrought iron. (The upright post supporting the lamp was made of wrought iron.)

• Adjective:

  • This is the standard procedure for filing a report. (This is the normal, accepted method.)
  • He speaks standard English. (He uses the established, educated form of the language.)
  • The room comes with standard equipment. (The room includes the usual, commonly supplied items.)

Advanced Usage

• "To set the standard": To establish a level of quality or achievement that others try to match.
  • Her innovative work set the standard for future research.
• "Double standard": A rule or principle applied more strictly to one group than another.
  • The company was accused of having a double standard for male and female employees.
• "Standard of living": The degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community.
  • The country's standard of living has improved significantly.

Variants and Related Words

• Standardize (verb): To cause something to conform to a standard.
  • The industry agreed to standardize parts.
• Standardization (noun): The process of making things conform to a standard.
  • Standardization simplifies manufacturing.
• Nonstandard (adjective): Not conforming to the usual or accepted standard.
  • The builder used nonstandard materials.

Synonyms

• Noun: Criterion, benchmark, norm, model, flag, banner.
• Adjective: Normal, regular, typical, conventional, accepted.

Related Phrases

• Gold standard: Historically, a monetary system where currency value is directly linked to gold; figuratively, the best example of something.
  • This textbook is considered the gold standard in its field.
• Standard bearer: Literally, a person who carries a flag; figuratively, a leading figure in a movement.
  • She was the standard bearer for educational reform.

Idioms

• "By any standard": According to any way of judging something.
  • It was an impressive achievement by any standard.
• "Fall short of the standard": To fail to reach the expected or required level.
  • His latest work falls short of the standard he set earlier.

Adjective

1. regularly and widely used or sold
   • a standard size
   • a stock item
2. conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
   • standard English (American)
   • received standard English is sometimes called the King's English (British)
3. established or well-known or widely recognized as a model of authority or excellence
   • a standard reference work
   • the classical argument between free trade and protectionism
4. commonly used or supplied
   • standard procedure
   • standard car equipment
5. conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind
   • windows of standard width
   • standard sizes
   • the standard fixtures
   • standard brands
   • standard operating procedure

Noun

1. any distinctive flag
2. an upright pole or beam (especially one used as a support)
   • distance was marked by standards every mile
   • lamps supported on standards provided illumination
3. the value behind the money in a monetary system
4. a board measure = 1980 board feet
5. the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
   • they live by the standards of their community
6. 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