measure
1 of 2noun
mea·sure ˈme-zhər 
ˈmā-
ˈmā- 1
a(1)
: an adequate or due portion
all too few of the British actresses … have received their measure of remembrance 
Saturday Review
Saturday Review (2)
: a moderate degree
also : moderation, temperance
(3)
: a fixed or suitable limit : bounds
rich beyond measure
b
: the dimensions, capacity, or amount of something ascertained by measuring
took his measure for a coat
c
: an estimate of what is to be expected (as of a person or situation)
the measure of their tragedy is now beyond our imagination G. F. Kennan
G. F. Kennan d(1)
: a measured quantity
(2)
: amount, degree
giving children a greater measure of freedom
2
a
: an instrument (such as a yardstick) or utensil (such as a graduated cup) for measuring
b(1)
: a standard or unit of measurement see Weights and Measures Table
(2)
: a system of standard units of measure
metric measure
3
: the act or process of measuring
settled by a measure made by a surveyor
4
a(1)
: melody, tune
(2)
: dance
especially : a slow and stately dance
b
: rhythmic structure or movement : cadence: such as
(1)
: poetic rhythm measured by temporal (see temporal entry 1 sense 3) quantity or accent
specifically : meter
(2)
: musical time
c(1)
: a grouping of a specified number of musical beats located between two consecutive vertical lines on a staff
(2)
: a metrical unit : foot
5
: an exact divisor of a number
6 being the greatest common measure of 42 and 12
6
: a basis or standard of comparison
wealth is not a measure of happiness
7
: a step planned or taken as a means to an end
took strong measures against the rebels
specifically : a proposed legislative act
sponsored an anti-inflation measure in the senate
measure
2 of 2verb
measured; measuring ˈme-zhə-riŋ
ˈmā-;
ˈmezh-riŋ,
ˈmāzh-
transitive verb
1
a
: to choose or control with cautious restraint : regulate
measure his acts
b
: to regulate by a standard : govern
2
: to allot or apportion in measured amounts
measure out three cups
3
: to lay off by making measurements
4
: to ascertain the measurements of
5
: to estimate or appraise by a criterion
measures his skill against his rival
6
archaic : to travel over : traverse
7
: to serve as a means of measuring
a thermometer measures temperature
intransitive verb
1
: to take or make a measurement
2
: to have a specified measurement
measurer
ˈme-zhər-ər
noun ˈmā-;
ˈmezh-rə-
ˈmāzh-
Synonyms
Noun
- expedient
- means
- move
- shift
- step
Verb
- gauge
- gage
- scale
- span
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun She felt equal measures of hope and fear. Their actions were motivated in large measure by a desire for revenge. An occasion like this calls for some measure of decorum. The meter is a measure of length. The dictionary includes a table of weights and measures. The legislature has passed a measure aimed at protecting consumers. The governor has proposed a number of cost-cutting measures. They were forced to resort to desperate measures. We need to take measures to protect ourselves. Verb using a ruler to measure a piece of paper an instrument for measuring air pressure mental abilities measured by IQ testing He's being measured for a new suit. His success cannot be measured solely on the basis of his popularity. The cloth measures 3 meters. The room measures 15 feet wide by 30 feet long. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Giacomo Bologna, Baltimore Sun, 17 Sep. 2022 The measure would urge all states to limit the non-criminal use of peyote to religious, ceremonial and cultural purposes only, as it is stated in the American Indian Religious Freedom Act amendments of 1994. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 17 Sep. 2022 The measure sets up a framework for the first statewide water and sewer rate assistance program in the country, according to groups that sponsored the bill. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022 The measure lifted from six to eight the number of votes on the 11-member body required to effect change. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 The measure was one of a list of additional sanctions and export controls the United States adopted on Thursday in relation to Russia. Jeanne Whalen, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Sep. 2022 The groups asked the judge to declare the ballot issue invalid or block its enforcement if the measure passes. Stephen Hudak, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Apple says the measure is a useful indicator of overall body temperature, which can be used to detect changes in the baseline over a period of time to detect changes in your routine and even illness. Brett Williams, Men's Health, 15 Sep. 2022 After the measure failed to pass the NRB in February, the DNR was forced to abandon it. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Danusia Wnek, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2022 The ratings only measure U.S. audiences, not those in other countries, and currently only include Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix and Prime Video. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2022 This rash is just one visible sign of inflammation, but a doctor can measure inflammatory markers in your blood, Benjamin Ungar, MD, an assistant professor in the department of dermatology of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, tells SELF. Mara Santilli, SELF, 12 Sep. 2022 As of Tuesday morning, Earl’s maximum sustained winds measure in at 65 mph. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022 Modern online businesses measure performance in milliseconds—and can attach a dollar amount to them. Mehdi Daoudi, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Other charts measure traditional and contemporary jazz, and traditional and crossover classical music, both together and in the more specific genres themselves. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2022 The monitors measure the outside temperature and alert trainers and coaches if the heat index gets too high and alterations to practice need to be made. Ethan Ehrenhaft, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2022 Typical ladders measure 15 feet and cover two stories of your home. oregonlive, 15 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
If passed, the measure legalizes possession of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana and allows people 21 and older to grow two plants at home. Giacomo Bologna, Baltimore Sun, 17 Sep. 2022 The measure would urge all states to limit the non-criminal use of peyote to religious, ceremonial and cultural purposes only, as it is stated in the American Indian Religious Freedom Act amendments of 1994. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 17 Sep. 2022 The measure sets up a framework for the first statewide water and sewer rate assistance program in the country, according to groups that sponsored the bill. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022 The measure lifted from six to eight the number of votes on the 11-member body required to effect change. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 The measure was one of a list of additional sanctions and export controls the United States adopted on Thursday in relation to Russia. Jeanne Whalen, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Sep. 2022 The groups asked the judge to declare the ballot issue invalid or block its enforcement if the measure passes. Stephen Hudak, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Apple says the measure is a useful indicator of overall body temperature, which can be used to detect changes in the baseline over a period of time to detect changes in your routine and even illness. Brett Williams, Men's Health, 15 Sep. 2022 After the measure failed to pass the NRB in February, the DNR was forced to abandon it. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Verb
The Lab analysts also measure changes in skin's firmness before and after the same time period with the Cutometer machine, which gauges skin laxity. Danusia Wnek, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2022 The ratings only measure U.S. audiences, not those in other countries, and currently only include Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix and Prime Video. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2022 This rash is just one visible sign of inflammation, but a doctor can measure inflammatory markers in your blood, Benjamin Ungar, MD, an assistant professor in the department of dermatology of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, tells SELF. Mara Santilli, SELF, 12 Sep. 2022 As of Tuesday morning, Earl’s maximum sustained winds measure in at 65 mph. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022 Modern online businesses measure performance in milliseconds—and can attach a dollar amount to them. Mehdi Daoudi, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Other charts measure traditional and contemporary jazz, and traditional and crossover classical music, both together and in the more specific genres themselves. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2022 The monitors measure the outside temperature and alert trainers and coaches if the heat index gets too high and alterations to practice need to be made. Ethan Ehrenhaft, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2022 Typical ladders measure 15 feet and cover two stories of your home. oregonlive, 15 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English mesure "act of measuring, instrument for measuring, standard unit of quantity, size, measurable amount, proper proportion, moderation, tempurance," borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin mensūra "act of measuring, dimension determined by measurement, amount, instrument for measuring," from mensus, past participle of mētior, mētīrī "to determine the extent of, mark off by measuring" + -ūra -ure; mētior verbal derivative of an Indo-European noun *meh1-ti- "act of measuring" (whence Old English mǣth "measure, degree, efficacy," Greek mêtis "measure, skill, craft," Sanskrit māti- "measure, correct understanding"), nominal derivative of a verbal base *meh1-, whence, as a reduplicated present, Sanskrit mímite "(s/he) measures, shares," Avestan framimaθā "(s/he) should arrange"
Note: The irregular past participle mensus, alongside a regular derivative mētītus only found in later classical texts, may have been formed by analogy with pensus, past participle of pendere "to weigh."
Verb
Middle English mesuren "to calculate the measurements of, determine the extent of by measuring, apportion, moderate, control, judge," borrowed from Anglo-French mesurer, going back to Late Latin mensūrāre "to calculate the measurements of," derivative of mensūra measure entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing measure
Kids Definition
measure 1 of 2
noun
mea·sure ˈme-zhər
1
: extent sense 2, degree, amount
Our plan did succeed in large measure.
2
: the size, capacity, or quantity of something that has been determined
Use equal measures of flour and milk.
3
: something (as a yardstick or cup) used in determining size, capacity, or quantity
4
: a unit used in determining size, capacity, or quantity
An inch is a measure of length.
5
: a system of determining size, capacity, or quantity
liquid measure
6
: the notes and rests between bar lines on a musical staff
7
: a way of accomplishing something
a safety measure
The new law is a measure to save energy.
measure
2 of 2verb
measured; measuring
1
: to find out the size, extent, or amount of
You should measure the cloth before cutting.
2
: to separate out a fixed amount
She measured the rice.
3
: estimate entry 1
I had to measure the distance with my eye.
4
: to bring into comparison
Why don't you measure your skill against mine?
5
: to give a determination of size, capacity, or quantity : indicate
A thermometer measures temperature.
6
: to have as its size, capacity, or quantity
The cloth measures ten meters.
Medical Definition
measure 1 of 2
noun
mea·sure ˈmezh-ər ˈmāzh-
ˈmāzh- 1
: an instrument or utensil for measuring
2
: a standard or unit of measurement
also : a system of such measures
metric measure
measure
2 of 2verb
measured; measuring ˈmezh-(ə-)riŋ, ˈmāzh-
transitive verb
1
: to allot or apportion in measured amounts
2
: to ascertain the measurements of
3
: to serve as a measure of
a thermometer measures temperature
intransitive verb
: to have a specified measurement
measure 1 of 2
noun
1
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result such new security measures as metal detectors at all the entrances Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- means
- step
- move
- attempt
- effort
- action
- shift
- initiative
- act
- procedure
- expedient
- try
- resource
- success
- doing
- pass
- process
- operation
- activity
- dealing
- project
- proposal
- course
- feat
- accomplishment
- exploit
- thing
- work
- achievement
- endeavor
- attainment
- triumph
- proceeding
- crack
- proposition
- coup
- undertaking
- while
- event
- deed
- exertion
- countermeasure
- go
- shot
- enterprise
- stab
- whack
- stopgap
- business
- trial
- trouble
- labor
- counterstep
- pains
- resort
- fling
- essay
- makeshift
- affair
- countermove
2
as in amount
a given or particular mass or aggregate of matter each day prisoners were given only a small measure of rice to live on Synonyms & Similar Words
- amount
- quantity
- volume
- quantum
- portion
- degree
- coefficient
- many
- number
- body
3
as in criterion
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared during the Renaissance, man came to be viewed as the measure of all things Synonyms & Similar Words
- criterion
- standard
- metric
- benchmark
- yardstick
- barometer
- example
- touchstone
- rule
- grade
- instance
- mark
- average
- par
- bar
- gold standard
- norm
- case
- peak
- pinnacle
- summit
- meridian
- apex
- zenith
- acme
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deviation
- abnormality
- aberration
4
as in rhythm
the recurrent pattern formed by a series of sounds having a regular rise and fall in intensity the song's soft, soothing measures make it a good lullaby Synonyms & Similar Words
- rhythm
- cadence
- meter
- beat
- drum
- emphasis
- accent
- movement
- stress
- sway
- throb
- accentuation
- swing
- trimeter
- hexameter
- backbeat
- tetrameter
- lilt
- pentameter
5
as in size
the total amount of measurable space or surface occupied by something a slipcover for the couch that was made to measure Synonyms & Similar Words
- size
- dimension
- measurement
- extent
- proportion
- magnitude
- bulk
- area
- amplitude
- roominess
- volume
- spaciousness
- bigness
- largeness
- immensity
- greatness
- vastness
- capaciousness
- hugeness
- bulkiness
- commodiousness
- monstrousness
- massiveness
- grandness
- enormousness
- tremendousness
- mass
- ampleness
- voluminousness
- stupendousness
- grossness
- immenseness
- heftiness
measure
2 of 2verb
1
as in to gauge
to find out the size, extent, or amount of for this experiment, you need to carefully measure all the chemicals before you mix them together Synonyms & Similar Words
- gauge
- scale
- gage
- assess
- weigh
- estimate
- ascertain
- evaluate
- calculate
- span
- determine
- quantify
- judge
- calibrate
- compute
- figure
- quantitate
- value
- guess
- appraise
- sum
- caliper
- lay off
- tally
- guesstimate
- total
- figure out
- add up
- cipher
- suppose
- valuate
- discover
- conjecture
- find out
- mark (off)
- work out
- reckon
- dope (out)
2
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) he carefully measured his response to the provocative question Synonyms & Similar Words
- regulate
- control
- curb
- contain
- restrain
- keep
- constrain
- rule
- check
- govern
- suppress
- stifle
- hold
- inhibit
- tame
- bridle
- stop
- pull in
- hinder
- squelch
- impede
- swallow
- repress
- rein (in)
- muffle
- pocket
- hold back
- hamper
- block
- interrupt
- obstruct
- smother
- silence
- sink
- strangle
- arrest
- mince
- choke (back)
- muzzle
- handcuff
- bottle (up)
- gag
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose
- express
- liberate
- loosen
- loose
- take out
- vent
- unleash
- air