system of weights and measures
- noun
- /ˈsɪstəm əv weɪts ənd ˈmɛʒərz/
- Specialized
:
sistema de pesos y medidas
- The government adopted a new system of weights and measures that standardizes how ingredients are measured in food production.
Examples
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The metric system is a widely accepted system of weights and measures used in most countries around the world.
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In the meeting, Thomas Jefferson was employed to find the best system of weights and measures to be used in the USA.
Blog text (1) -
Using a consistent system of weights and measures helps scientists ensure accurate and reliable results in their experiments.
Synonyms
1
3.5
A set of units and rules used to measure things like length, weight, or volume
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
system + of + weight + and + measure
The meaning 'an organized set of units and standards used to measure length, weight, and time' is directly and transparently derivable from combining 'system' (a formalized set) with 'weights' and 'measures' (units/quantities used for measuring). This noun-of-noun composition is a common, literal pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should be able to infer the overall meaning.
Etymology
The noun system of weights and measures comes from a time when towns kept one set of official tools so shopkeepers all used the same weights and measures. If a town had a standard bar, scale and stone in the town hall people could check their tools, so the phrase now means an organized set of 'units and standards' used to measure things.