1Ascertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units or by comparing it with an object of known size.

1. 1.1 Be of (a specified size or degree)
   the fabric measures 45 inches wide

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The display is typically a computer screen with 480 pixels down and 640 pixels across, measuring approximately 0.7 inches on the diagonal.
   • It's much larger than the other two, measuring 78 by 48 inches.
   • It measures 7.75 inches wide by 4.25 inches high by 12.75 inches long and weighs about 4 pounds.
   • Madeira is the largest of the islands, measuring about 57 km wide and 22 km long.
   • TVs measuring 3 or 4 inches thick are opening up placement opportunities hitherto unknown, including above fireplaces and in kitchens and game rooms.
   • That's no problem as the juicer measures a compact 15 inches high by ten inches wide, so it can fit easily into most kitchen cupboards or presses.
   • Last year's international survey of recent architecture measured 18 by 12 inches and took a trolley to move about the room.
   • The sculptures, measuring 17 to 31 inches tall, feature the romantic images of beautiful women and couples, which Hessam often depicts in his paintings.
   • The earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, hit the country on Saturday afternoon.
   • The rectangular slab is slightly curved, measuring 17 inches thick at the center and tapering to 10 inches on the sides.
   • An earthquake measuring 5.5 in magnitude rocked the region today.
   • The square measured approximately two inches from side to side.
   • In October an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Japan's Niigata prefecture.
   • The length of the dorsal wall of the medial claw is approximately 7.5 cm when measured from the apex to the coronary band.
   • Last September, Taiwan suffered a massive earthquake which measured 7.3 on the Richter scale.
   • Of the 21 works at Howard Scott, The Open Boat is the largest, measuring 45 by 69 inches.
   • The posters, which measure 27 by 40 inches, will be on sale through March 15 for $25.
   • Sewn from a rich green vinyl, the outside sleeves each measured about 16 inches long.
   • The suggested retail price of this year's poster, which measures 28 by 23 inches, is $30.
   • The paper editions measure approximately 24 by 34 inches and the canvas editions measure 40 by 55 inches.
2. 1.2 Ascertain the size and proportions of (someone) in order to make or provide clothes for them.
   he will be measured for his tuxedo next week

   Example sentencesExamples

   • She tried not to shift as the plump woman measured her.
   • ‘My older daddy is gonna make it for me, just as soon as he measures me,’ Katie said proudly.
   • She measured me every which way: arms, back, height, shoulders, waist, hips, chest.
   • They had been being standing in Gayle's sitting room for nearly six hours, being continuously measured and pricked by pins and needles for clothes to be worn tomorrow.
   • A tailor was brought in to measure Willow for clothes.
   • They were tailors, and they promptly began measuring her for clothes.
   • Caderyn measured her, as one of the blacksmiths wrote the measurements and began to draw the sword.
   • It raised its rotting hands, mentally measuring Ben to see what size clothes he was best suited for.
   • Elizabeth stepped off the stool and began looking around the small shop as Kathryn was measured.
   • While Vandy measured him, Doriel began to tell one of the more tame war stories, but Malindila and Vandy both shook their heads.
   • We won't see any suit, just you being measured for a suit.
   • She turned to Colette and lifted her down from the bed and asked the modiste to measure her.
   • When we got back, Jen showed me some simple stitches and measured me for a dress before the dance.
   • Sakura blushed as he measured her, his skin brushing against hers now and then.
   • I am going to measure you and then recommend a bra size.
   • Make sure that you're properly measured by a qualified fitter at a reputable ski shop.
   • Mareen came in with two palace tailors to measure me for the wedding.
   • They measured me: arms and legs, waist and chest.
   • He'd forgotten how maddening it was being measured for new clothes.
   • It fit her perfectly, as if David had measured her himself, but it wasn't what she was used too.
3. 1.3measure something out Take an exact quantity or fixed amount of something.
   she helped to measure out the ingredients

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Mama took some time cutting the sugar-cake and I was certain it was because she was measuring it out, making sure everyone got the same sized piece.
   • I don't measure them out in coffee spoons, you know.
   • However, compared to how much it costs to buy a small 1/2 lb block of chocolate normally, it turned out to be good value, and it keeps well if you store it in a cool dark place, not to mention the ease with which you can measure it out!
   • While his mom measured out the ingredients, it became our job to stir; he would stir, and then hand it to me for my turn.

   Synonyms

   mark off, mark the boundaries of, mark the limits of, measure out, demarcate, delimit, delineate, outline, describe, define, stake out

   pour out, dole out, deal out

2Estimate or assess the extent, quality, value, or effect of (something)

1. 2.1measure someone/something against Judge someone or something by comparison with (a certain standard)
   she did not need to measure herself against some ideal

   Example sentencesExamples

   • For the first time ever, I realized that my mother measured my achievements against those of my sisters.
   • I encourage organizations to measure their financial performance against two-year plans.
   • Instead, it uses an independent survey programme that measures its performance against the charter.
   • As such, we've established baselines that we need to be constantly measuring our performance against.
   • Districts choose from commercially available standardized tests to measure students against national norms.
   • Before I was able to find such a host, I had to measure each company against four stringent criteria.
   • The guide also comprised several small tables measuring universities against a number of criteria.
   • Each person's abilities are measured against the job requirements and expected tasks.
   • In 50 years' time, will we still be measuring educational standards against O-levels?
   • He set standards that all great bowlers are measured against.

   Synonyms

   compare with, contrast with, put into competition with
2. 2.2measure upno object Reach the required or expected standard; fulfill expectations.
   I'm afraid we didn't measure up to the standards they set

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The table below shows how the United States measures up to this simple standard of fairness.
   • Sadly, the rest of the film doesn't measure up to her impressive standards.
   • If the milk measures up to quality standards, it is hooked up to a receiving pump, passed through a filter and forwarded to one of six silos depending on its composition.
   • I had been making my first movie in my head for so long, I don't think anything would have measured up to my standards.
   • Here we have a clear cut case of film trying to measure up to a literary work, or of an audience expecting to make such a comparison.
   • If it's not measuring up, what else needs to be done?
   • It must be their tragic flaws that make them fail to measure up in our eyes.
   • He didn't see how he could ever measure up to his father's standards.
   • Many companies seem to have set too high a standard for their employees to measure up to.
   • I wanted to conquer this fear of not measuring up, so I took a ton of classes.

   Synonyms

   come up to standard, achieve the required standard, fulfil expectations, fill the bill, fit the bill, pass muster, do well

   achieve, meet, come up to, equal, be equal to, match, rival, vie with, bear comparison with, be on a level with, serve, satisfy, fulfil, comply with
3. 2.3 Scrutinize (someone) keenly in order to form an assessment of them.
   the two shook hands and silently measured each other up

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Harry measured her up, wondering whether to say any more.
   • He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, measuring her up.
   • Caleb looked at me for a second or two like he had measured me up and made his decision.
   • She frowned at him and measured him up with a glance.
   • While I was measuring up my aunt, she was giving me the once over too.
   • I looked at the family more closely because I could tell that they were measuring me up.
   • I have measured her up and she seems to be the only one I can think of who is worthy of you.
   • She glared at Ellee, measuring her up with her own angry eyes.
   • Narrowed brown eyes studied her, measuring her up.
   • Alice looked up at me and measured me up in her vision.

   Synonyms

   evaluate, rate, assess, appraise, judge, adjudge, weigh up, size up, survey

3archaic Travel over (a certain distance or area)

1A plan or course of action taken to achieve a particular purpose.

1. 1.1 A legislative bill.
   the Senate passed the measure by a 48–30 vote

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The new measures in the Pensions Bill requiring consultation on changes to future benefits will be welcome from an employee's perspective.
   • The bill extends measures aimed at individuals and to lesser extent corporations.
   • Yet the odds are against the measure as legislated policy.
   • In a bold response, Congressional leaders added a measure to the energy bill raising fuel economy by one mile per gallon.
   • In this tidal wave of deregulatory measures, the anti-discrimination legislation escaped almost unscathed.
   • In an exclusive interview finance minister Charlie McCreevy discusses tax measures in the Finance Bill, tax amnesties, the bank levy and public spending.
   • Protestors said that the measures in the bill are similar to those recently introduced in China.
   • In 1997, the House passed a measure to abolish the agency, but the Senate restored its funding.
   • German chancellor Gerhard Schroder announced that his cabinet would soon pass measures to outlaw Islamic organisations deemed to have abused their religious status.
   • Since 1997, the UK construction sector has seen the introduction of a raft of legislative measures and incentives.
   • Critics of the measure worry that the bill will depress the price of US labour in the tech sector.
   • Many other counties, including Sonoma, Alameda, and Santa Barbara, are organizing to pass similar measures.
   • He signed the measure into law on May 9 of that year.
   • However, before becoming law the measure will have to go through several more stages and needs to be approved by EU ministers.
   • The European Council has passed the measure but the deadline for its adoption into the laws of EU member states is still 15 months away.
   • All of these legislative measures made it much easier for labor unions to accomplish their goals.
   • Those backing the Bill say the new measures simply bring new communication technologies in line with regulations governing traditional telephony services.
   • Already, more than two dozen states have passed measures against garbage mail.
   • Vetoes, threats of vetoes, and government shutdowns kept most anti-environmental measures from becoming law.
   • The measure passed in 2000 was to finish the job.

   Synonyms

   statute, act, bill, law, legislation
2. 1.2archaic Punishment or retribution imposed or inflicted on someone.
   Sir Walter had hard measure dealt out to him by his vain and weak sovereign

2A standard unit used to express the size, amount, or degree of something.

1. 2.1 A system or scale of standard measuring units.
   the original dimensions were in imperial measure

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Often the two sets of data have very different scales of measure, so a bar graph would not work.

   Synonyms

   statute, act, bill, law, legislation
2. 2.2 A particular amount of something.
   a measure of egg white as a binding agent
3. 2.3 A standard official amount of an alcoholic drink as served in a licensed establishment.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Don't let the late-night munchies make you pay £1.50 for a Mars bar or £6 for a single measure of spirits.

   Synonyms

   portion, quantity, amount, quota, ration, allowance, allocation
4. 2.4 A container of standard capacity used for taking fixed amounts of a substance.
5. 2.5 A graduated rod or tape used for ascertaining the size of something.
   Synonyms

   ruler, tape measure, rule, gauge, meter, scale, level, yardstick
6. 2.6Mathematics A quantity contained in another an exact number of times; a divisor.
7. 2.7Printing The width of a full line of type or print, typically expressed in picas.

3A certain quantity or degree of something.

1. 3.1 An indication or means of assessing the degree, extent, or quality of something.
   it was a measure of the team's problems that they were still working after 2 a.m.

   Example sentencesExamples

   • This is one of the most visible and encouraging measures of the success of these institutions.
   • It is a measure of the quality you can expect to hear, however, that whatever you pay to see them will probably be worth it.
   • It would at least have given a clear measure of the extent of anti-agreement sentiment in the unionist community.
   • I'm happy to accept this wager as a measure of the quality of my predictions about the long term sustainability of commons-based peer production.
   • That alone is a measure of the extent to which the listeners were drawn into the music, but subsequent conversation proved the point.
   • Customer loyalty and satisfaction are key measures of success.

   Synonyms

   yardstick, test, standard, norm, barometer, touchstone, litmus test, criterion, benchmark

4The rhythm of a piece of poetry or a piece of music.

1. 4.1 A particular metrical unit or group.
   measures of two or three syllables are more frequent in English prose
2. 4.2North American Any of the sections, typically of equal time value, into which a musical composition is divided, shown on a score by vertical lines across the staff; bar.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • The first sixteen measures end with an arpeggiated cadence in piano two.
   • The first few measures of music drifted easily through the air, reaching Jynx's ears and beckoning her to find its source.
   • I can't think of too many recitals where you'd hire two extra singers for a few measures of music.
   • Could the French horn line be omitted for a few measures without disturbing the score's overall harmony and rhythmic flow?
   • At his first rehearsal with us he conducted about two measures and then put his baton down.
   • His playing is so awful in these few measures, which form the very heart of the piece, as to create a metaphor for his performance of the entire work.
   • There are rarely more than four measures of music without a voice-over.
   • In measures 68 and 69, an A-major chord, the dominant of the key, is sounded, signaling the end of the piece.
   • Students coordinate some measures naturally, while stumbling through other more difficult measures.
   • I heard the first few measures of Mozart's third violin concerto in my head set to the rhythm of the crude chant.
   • Medtner's concerto storms right from the opening measures and sings heroically throughout.
   • We sense the tragedy of the poetic ballad and the noble lineage of its characters in the very opening measures of the musical rendering.
   • At a signal, they stop for six measures but continue to count silently with no physical movement.
   • On the second, they were shown the first two measures of each piece and then asked to play as much as they could remember (cued recall).
   • Fingering is given where hand position shifts are required, on chromatic lines and on first beats of measures where a new phrase begins.
   • The final presto measures will leave you breathless.
   • Play the last four notes of each measure staccato, or make a crescendo into the next measure.
   • At measure 31, a cadenza is marked in the flute parts; however, it is not noted in the piano part or the original score.
   • The first four measures sound practiced and include accurate articulation, steady rhythm and even a dynamic shade or two.
   • The second movement is morbidly dreamy, and its final measures have never sounded so beautiful!
   • This practice technique establishes the student's security in starting a work on downbeats of measures.
3. 4.3archaic A dance, typically one that is grave or stately.
   now tread we a measure!

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Ben watched with amazement that turned to pride as Hoss delicately guided Alberta Evans into the first few measures of the dance.
   • Ian laughed lightly and then swept her into the first measure of the dance.
   • The birds twitter, the horn calls back, the mountain folk dance a droll measure, and all's right with the Alpine world.

   Synonyms

   dance, step, caper, hop

5measureswith modifier A group of rock strata.