Definitions for measureˈmɛʒ ər

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

meas•ureˈmɛʒ ər(n.; v.)-ured, -ur•ing.

(n.)a unit or standard of measurement.
Category: Weights and Measures
a system of measurement.
Category: Weights and Measures
an instrument, as a graduated rod or a container of standard capacity, for measuring.
Category: Weights and Measures
the extent, dimensions, quantity, etc., of something, ascertained esp. by comparison with a standard.
the act or process of ascertaining the extent, dimensions, or quantity of something; measurement.
a definite or known quantity measured out:
a measure of wine.
Category: Weights and Measures
any standard of comparison, estimation, or judgment.
a quantity, degree, or proportion.
a moderate amount.
reasonable bounds or limits:
spending without measure.
a legislative bill or enactment.
Category: Government
Usu., measures. actions or procedures intended as a means to an end:
measures to avert suspicion.
a short rhythmical movement or arrangement, as in poetry or music.
Category: Prosody
a particular kind of such arrangement.
Category: Prosody
the music contained between two bar lines; bar.
Category: Music and Dance
a metrical unit.
Category: Prosody
an air or melody.
Category: Music and Dance
a slow, dignified dance.
Category: Music and Dance
measures,Geol. beds; strata.
Category: Geology
(v.t.)to ascertain the extent, dimensions, quantity, capacity, etc., of, esp. by comparison with a standard.
to mark off or deal out by way of measurement (often fol. by off or out):
to measure out a cup of flour.
to estimate the relative amount, value, etc., of, by comparison with some standard.
to judge or appraise by comparison with something or someone else.
to serve as the measure of.
to adjust or proportion.
to travel over; traverse.
(v.i.)to take measurements.
to admit of measurement.
to be of a specified measure.
measure up, to attain equality: to have the right qualifications:
The exhibition didn't measure up to last year's.
He didn't quite measure up.
Category: Verb Phrase

Idioms for measure:

for good measure, as an extra:
In addition to dessert, they served chocolates for good measure.
Category: Idiom
in a or some measure, to some extent.
Category: Idiom

Origin of measure:

1250–1300; < MF < L mēnsūra=mēns(us) measured +-ūra -ure

Princeton's WordNet

measure, step(noun)
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
"the situation called for strong measures"; "the police took steps to reduce crime"
measure, quantity, amount(noun)
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
bill, measure(noun)
a statute in draft before it becomes law
"they held a public hearing on the bill"
measurement, measuring, measure, mensuration(noun)
the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule
"the measurements were carefully done"; "his mental measurings proved remarkably accurate"
standard, criterion, measure, touchstone(noun)
a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
"the schools comply with federal standards"; "they set the measure for all subsequent work"
meter, metre, measure, beat, cadence(noun)
(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
measure, bar(noun)
musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats
"the orchestra omitted the last twelve bars of the song"
measuring stick, measure, measuring rod(noun)
measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements
measure(verb)
a container of some standard capacity that is used to obtain fixed amounts of a substance
measure, mensurate, measure out(verb)
determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of
"Measure the length of the wall"
quantify, measure(verb)
express as a number or measure or quantity
"Can you quantify your results?"
measure(verb)
have certain dimensions
"This table surfaces measures 20inches by 36 inches"
measure, evaluate, valuate, assess, appraise, value(verb)
evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of
"I will have the family jewels appraised by a professional"; "access all the factors when taking a risk"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

measure(verb)ˈmɛʒ ər
to find out how big, fast, etc. sth or sb is
You need to measure each piece of wood.; Measure from the top of your leg to your ankle.
measureˈmɛʒ ər
to judge the quality of sth
His love should not be measured by the value of his gifts.
measureˈmɛʒ ər
to be a particular length, width, height, etc.
The tables measures 2 meters.
measure(noun)ˈmɛʒ ər
a way of dealing with sth
We have taken precautionary measures to prevent bird flu.; a temporary measure until we can get the window fixed
measureˈmɛʒ ər
an indication of quality or level
the test results are a measure of general fitness
measureˈmɛʒ ər
an unspecified amount of sth
The report has been received with a measure of skepticism.
measureˈmɛʒ ər
a measured amount of sth
a measure of alcohol
measureˈmɛʒ ər
in addition, often as an improvement
Put a few cherries on top for good measure.

Wiktionary

measure(Noun)
The quantity, size, weight, distance or capacity of a substance compared to a designated standard.
measure(Noun)
An (unspecified) quantity or capacity :
a measure of salt
measure(Noun)
The precise designated distance between two objects or points.
measure(Noun)
The act of measuring.
measure(Noun)
A musical designation consisting of all notes and or rests delineated by two vertical bars; an equal and regular division of the whole of a composition.
measure(Noun)
A rule, ruler or measuring stick.
measure(Noun)
A tactic, strategy or piece of legislation.
He took drastic measures to halt inflation.
measure(Noun)
A function that assigns a non-negative number to a given set following the mathematical nature that is common among length, volume, probability and the like.
measure(Noun)
An indicator; Something used to assess some property.
measure(Verb)
To ascertain the quantity of a unit of material via calculated comparison with respect to a standard.
measure(Verb)
To estimate the unit size of something.
I measure that at 10 centimetres.
measure(Verb)
To obtain or set apart; to mark in even increments.
measure(Verb)
To traverse, cross, pass along; to travel over.

Origin: mesure, from mesure, from mensura, from mensus, past participle of metiri. Displaced native mete (n.) (from met, compare mitta), ameten, imeten (from āmetan, ġemetan "to mete, measure), hof (from hof), mæþ.

Webster Dictionary

Measure(noun)
a standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged
Measure(noun)
an instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like
Measure(noun)
the dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat
Measure(noun)
the contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount
Measure(noun)
extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure; with measure; without or beyond measure
Measure(noun)
determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due proportion
Measure(noun)
the quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full measure
Measure(noun)
undefined quantity; extent; degree
Measure(noun)
regulated division of movement
Measure(noun)
a regulated movement corresponding to the time in which the accompanying music is performed; but, especially, a slow and stately dance, like the minuet
Measure(noun)
the group or grouping of beats, caused by the regular recurrence of accented beats
Measure(noun)
the space between two bars
Measure(adj)
the manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure
Measure(adj)
a number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of two or more numbers
Measure(adj)
a step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure
Measure(adj)
the act of measuring; measurement
Measure(adj)
beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead measures
Measure(noun)
to ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to appraise
Measure(noun)
to serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature
Measure(noun)
to pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance
Measure(noun)
to adjust by a rule or standard
Measure(noun)
to allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; -- often with out or off
Measure(verb)
to make a measurement or measurements
Measure(verb)
to result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally
Measure(verb)
to be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter