measure
MEHZH-uh
Measure (verb) means to find the size, amount, or degree of something using an instrument or standard. Example: “She measured the window before ordering new curtains.”
verb
1
To find the size, amount, or degree of something using an instrument or standard.
"She measured the window before ordering new curtains."
"Scientists measured the temperature every hour."
"Use a ruler to measure the length of the table before you buy a cloth."
noun
1
A standard unit or amount used for comparison or quantity.
"A liter is a common measure of volume."
"The metre is the standard measure of length in most countries."
"A cup is a handy measure when you are baking at home."
2
An action taken to achieve a particular goal, especially in an official or legal context.
"The government introduced new measures to curb inflation."
"Security measures were tightened after the incident."
"The town took emergency measures to protect homes from the rising river."
How to use measure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo find out the size or amount of something, or a standard unit or official action.
Common pairings
take measures
measure up
for good measure
a measure of success
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Word forms
- Plural
- measures
- Third person singular
- measures
- Past tense
- measured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the window before ordering new curtains.
Etymology
From Old French mesure, from Latin mēnsūra ("a measuring"), from mētior ("to measure").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for measure
See all rhymes for measure →Frequently asked questions
What does “measure” mean?
The word “measure” means to find the size, amount, or degree of something using an instrument or standard. In plain terms, to find out the size or amount of something, or a standard unit or official action.
How do you pronounce “measure”?
“Measure” is pronounced MEHZH-uh (/ˈmɛʒ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “measure” in a sentence?
Here is “measure” used in a sentence: “She measured the window before ordering new curtains.”
What part of speech is “measure”?
Depending on how it is used, “measure” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “measure” come from?
The word “measure” comes from Latin. From Old French mesure, from Latin mēnsūra ("a measuring"), from mētior ("to measure").
Is “measure” a common word?
“Measure” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “measure” have?
“Measure” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to find the size, amount, or degree of something using an instrument or standard.
What is the difference between measure and weigh?
Weighing is one specific kind of measuring — finding how heavy something is using its mass or weight. Measuring is the general act of finding any size, amount, or degree, whether that is length, volume, temperature, or time. So you always measure when you weigh, but you can measure many things without weighing.
What are the main types of measurement?
Everyday measurement usually falls into a few categories: length or distance, weight or mass, volume or capacity, temperature, and time. Others include area, speed, and pressure. Each uses its own units and instruments — a ruler for length, scales for weight, a thermometer for temperature — but all compare something against a standard.
Can everything be measured?
Not everything. Physical quantities like length, weight, and time can be measured precisely with instruments. But qualities such as happiness, beauty, or loyalty resist exact measurement, because they have no natural units. People often estimate these using scales or ratings, though such measures are approximate rather than truly objective.
What is an example of measuring something?
Using a tape measure to find the length of a table is a simple example. So is stepping on bathroom scales to check your weight, reading a thermometer for temperature, or filling a measuring jug to a set volume. Each compares the thing against a marked instrument or agreed standard.
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