wire gauge
- noun
- Specialized
- To select the appropriate wire for the project, use a wire gauge to measure its thickness.
Examples
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Now AWG means American wire gauge and it basically means the thickness of the wires.
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The wire gauge indicates the thickness of a wire.
Blog text (13) -
The wire gauge of 12V power wires and parallel run wires is also a factor in large installations.
Blog text (13) -
He checked the wire gauge to ensure the wire was suitable for the electrical installation.
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Using a wire gauge makes it easy to determine the diameter of different wires before making a purchase.
Synonyms
A standard measurement of size or thickness used to compare objects
A small tool for measuring how thick a wire is
A tool that measures very small distances or thicknesses using a fine screw
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a tool or system for measuring the diameter or thickness of wire' is directly and compositionally derived from 'wire' (thin metal strand) + 'gauge' (measure or standard of size). This noun–noun compound follows a predictable English compounding pattern and has close equivalents in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
The noun wire gauge comes from a simple metal tool with holes or slots used to check wire size: you push the wire into different holes in the gauge until one fits. That's why wire gauge means 'a tool or way to measure wire thickness'.