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to measure

to measure

35 1.0
To be a particular size, length, or amount
  • verb
  • /ˈmɛʒər/
: medir
  • The structure is 325 feet high, and its base measures approximately a quarter-mile on a side.
  • measures 138 feet
  • measures approximately

Examples

  • The exit hole in the rear of his head measured about 120 millimeters, or five inches across.

  • The units for time will be second and time will be measured in seconds.

  • Students are expected to be accountable for their learning as measured by state or national tests.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Our greatness will be measured by our response to adversity.

  • Drawn at the scale of four hundred feet per inch, it measures thirty-seven inches wide and thirty inches tall.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The bookshelf measures 1.5 meters in height, making it perfect for the room.

  • She measures the length of the fabric to ensure it fits the project.

  • The table measures 2 meters by 1 meter, providing ample space for dining.

Idioms

A small extra thing you add as a bonus

To a very great degree

Try as hard as possible to do something well

1 6.3

To check something carefully before you do it to avoid mistakes

Phrasal Verbs

to measure up
  • Informal
40 3.7

To be as good as expected or needed

To be good enough to meet a standard or expectation

To take an exact amount using a cup, spoon, or ruler

to measure swords
  • Literature
1 9.2

To test each other's skill in a contest, for example in a match or debate

Compounds

An extreme action you take when all other options fail

13 7.0

A government action that cuts public spending or raises taxes to reduce debt

12 2.0

A flexible strip marked with numbers used to measure length

A strong rule that people must follow to keep others safe

An action or tool that protects a country from attack

last full measure
  • Literature
1 9.5

A final effort using all a person's strength or life for a cause

A device or method that detects break-ins and sounds an alarm

A unit for area like a square meter or square foot

fundamental measure
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A basic quantity like length, mass, or time that measurement systems use

A unit that tells how much liquid is in a container, like a cup or liter

common measure
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A number that divides two or more numbers exactly with no remainder

A unit for the amount of space something takes, often based on a cube

dry measure
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A unit for measuring how much space dry goods like grain or fruit take

information measure
  • Specialized
1 7.1

A way to show how much uncertainty is in data or messages

capacity measure
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A unit used to measure how much a container can hold, like a liter or gallon

A unit for length like a meter or inch

1 1.8

A ruler exactly one yard long used to measure cloth and short distances

board measure
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A way to measure the amount of lumber using board feet

circular measure
  • Specialized
8.6

A way to measure angles using radians, where one full circle equals two pi radians

common measure
  • Literature
9.9

A group of four lines with four beats then three beats in alternating lines, often ABAB or ABCB rhyme

common measure
  • Specialized
4.6

A time pattern in music with four beats in each bar

A way for a company to keep employees from leaving

5.0

A set of units used mainly in Britain for measuring length, like inches, feet, and miles

security measure
  • Specialized
3.1

A rule or tool that protects computers and data from access without permission

Surface Forms

measure infinitive
measured past
measured past participle
measuring present participle
measures third person singular

Etymology

Measure comes from an old Latin word mensura and the verb metiri, both meaning 'to measure'. To say something 'measures' a certain size is to give its dimension, so the verb is used to state how big or long something is.