measure

Examples

• All

• Second beat of the third measure, on E.

  Amadeus (1984)

• Reproducing a teacher's performance of even several measures is a difficult task for many students.

  Academic text (1994)

• Fourth beat of the first measure, on C.

  Amadeus (1984)

• Second beat of the fourth measure, on F.

  Amadeus (1984)

• The words "Decide Now" appeared in the last measure of each section.

  Academic text (2015)

• Both pieces contained 41 measures and were 2 to 3 minutes in duration.

  Academic text (2013)

• "You didn't get the rhythm in the third measure, but you will next time."

  Academic text (1993)

• Whole note, two half-notes and four quarters to a measure.

  D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

• You discover that your ensemble can't get through the first two measures without falling apart.

  Academic text (2013)

• The beginning of each measure is accented and is regarded as the culmination of the previous measure.

  Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

B

bar

vsmeasure

• Specialized

59 5.6

A unit of music time with a set number of beats

has the same meaning but is a different common musical term

Idioms

F

for good measure

13 3.7

A small extra thing you add as a bonus

B

beyond measure

7 4.6

To a very great degree

M

measure twice, cut once

• Informal

6.3

To check something carefully before you do it to avoid mistakes

G

to give full measure

5.4

Try as hard as possible to do something well

Compounds

A

austerity measure

• Formal

15 7.0

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

D

desperate measure

14 5.7

An extreme action you take when all other options fail

T

tape measure

9 2.0

A flexible strip marked with numbers used to measure length

S

security measure

• Specialized

4 3.1

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

D

defensive measure

2 4.4

An action or tool that protects a country from attack

L

last full measure

• Literature

1 9.5

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

S

security measure

1 3.6

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

S

strict measure

1 4.8

A strong rule that people must follow to keep others safe

B

board measure

• Specialized

8.2

A way to measure the amount of lumber using board feet

C

capacity measure

• Specialized

3.7

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

C

circular measure

• Specialized

8.6

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

C

common measure

• Specialized

5.2

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

C

common measure

• Literature

9.9

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

C

common measure

• Specialized

4.6

A time pattern in music with four beats in each bar

C

cubic measure

3.9

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

D

dry measure

• Specialized

6.8

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

A

antiattrition measure

• Jargon

8.1

A way for a company to keep employees from leaving

F

fundamental measure

• Specialized

5.6

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

L

linear measure

3.3

A unit for length like a meter or inch

L

liquid measure

3.5

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

L

long measure

• UK

5.0

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

I

information measure

• Specialized

7.1

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

S

square measure

3.5

A unit for area like a square meter or square foot

Y

yard measure

1.8

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

Surface Forms

Etymology