1a plan or course of action taken to achieve a particular purpose:cost-cutting measureschildren were evacuated as a precautionary measure
a legislative bill:the Senate passed the measure by a 48-30 vote
2a standard unit used to express the size, amount, or degree of something:a furlong is an obsolete measure of lengthtables of weights and measures
[mass noun] a system or scale of units expressing size, amount, or degree of something:the dimensions were in imperial measure
a standard quantity or amount:heavy drinking may be five measures of spirits per day
a container of standard capacity used for taking fixed amounts of a substance:gifts have included silver measures from a whisky company
a graduated rod or tape used for ascertaining the size of something:most schools had only metric measures available
3a certain quantity or degree of something:the states retain a large measure of independence
an indication of the degree, extent, or quality of something:his resignation is a measure of how angry he is
4the rhythm of a piece of poetry or a piece of music.
a particular metrical unit or group:measures of two or three syllables are more frequent in English prose
North American a bar of music or the time of a piece of music.
archaic a dance, typically one that is stately:now tread we a measure!
5 (measures) [with modifier] a group of rock strata.
6 Mathematics a quantity contained in another an exact number of times; a divisor.
7 Printing the width of a full line of type or print, typically expressed in picas.
ზმნა
Universal
1ascertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units:the amount of water collected is measured in pints (as adjective measuring)measuring instruments
be of (a specified size or degree):the fabric measures 137 cm wide
ascertain the size and proportions of (someone) in order to make or provide clothes for them:he will be measured for his team blazer next week
(measure something out) take an exact quantity of something:she helped to measure out the ingredients
2assess the importance, effect, or value of (something):it is hard to measure teaching ability
(measure someone/thing against) judge someone or something by comparison with (a certain standard):she did not need to measure herself against some ideal
[no object] (measure up) reach the required or expected standard:I’m afraid we didn’t measure up to the standards they set
(measure someone up) scrutinize someone in order to form an assessment of them:the two shook hands and silently measured each other up
3 archaic travel over (a certain distance or area):we must measure twenty miles today
beyond measure
to a very great extent:she felt weary beyond measure
for good measure
in addition to what has already been done or said:he added a couple of chillies for good measure
get (or take or have) the measure of
assess or have assessed the character or abilities of (someone or something):he’s got her measure—she won’t fool him
hard measure
archaic punishment or retribution inflicted on someone.
in —— measure
to the degree specified:his style was rough and elegant in equal measure
measure one's length
dated (of a person) fall flat on the ground:he uttered a groan and measured his length in the dust
measure one's words
consider carefully what one says:I had better measure my words so as not to embarrass anyone
measure of capacity
a standard unit of volume used for containers, liquids, and substances such as grain.
take measures
take action to achieve a particular purpose:they took measures to improve performance
