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cubic measure

cubic measure

3.9
A unit for the amount of space something takes, often based on a cube
  • noun
  • /ˈkjuːbɪk ˈmɛʒər/
translation icon : medida cúbica
  • A cubic meter is a common cubic measure used in scientific calculations.

Examples

  • Many countries use the litre as a standard cubic measure for liquids.

  • The shipping container's capacity is often listed in cubic measure to specify its volume.

  • A liter is a common cubic measure used in cooking.

  • The cubic measure of the box is 2 cubic meters.

  • A cubic meter is a common cubic measure used in scientific calculations.

  • Many countries use the litre as a standard cubic measure for liquids.

  • The shipping container's capacity is often listed in cubic measure to specify its volume.

Synonyms

unit of measurement
vscubic measure
  • Specialized
3 3.2

A fixed amount used as a standard to measure length, weight, or volume

is the specific form tied to a cube's side length rather than any standard
cubic content unit
vscubic measure
5.1

A unit used to measure how much space something has, like a cubic metre or cubic centimetre

is defined using a cube's side length as the basic measure
cubature unit
vscubic measure
  • Specialized
9.3

A measure used to show how much space something holds

is based on a cube side length rather than general unit names
cubage unit
vscubic measure
  • Specialized
6.5

A unit for measuring how much space something takes up, like a liter or cubic meter

focuses on a cube-based definition not on mixed examples
volume unit
vscubic measure
  • Specialized
3.0

A unit used to measure how much space something takes, like a cup or liter

uses a cube's side length as the defining standard
capacity unit
vscubic measure
  • Specialized
3.9

A unit for measuring how much liquid a container holds, like a liter or a gallon

relies on a cube side length rather than general volume naming
capacity measure
vscubic measure
  • Specialized
3.7

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

defines measure by a cube's side length instead of liquid examples

How Big

cubic yard
  • US
4 2.6
cubic measure
3.9
cubic centimeter
  • Specialized
4 3.1

Surface Forms

cubic measure singular

Morphology

cubic + measure

The meaning of 'cubic measure' is directly built from 'cubic' (having three equal dimensions) modifying 'measure' (a quantity determined by measurement), so the idea of a volume unit based on a cube is compositionally derivable. This adjective+noun pattern is cross-linguistically common (e.g. Spanish 'medida cúbica', French 'mesure cubique') and follows regular English compounding, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily understand it.

Etymology

Cubic measure comes from the simple image of a cube and the word measure: you count how many small cubes fit inside a space or box to find its 'volume' or 'capacity'.