Meaning of measure In English

• 0 to discover the exact size or amount of something:

  • "Will the table fit in here?" "I don't know - let's measure it."

  • This machine measures your heart rate.

  • He measured the flour into the bowl.

  • The area, measuring/which measures five kilometres by three kilometres, has been purchased by the army.

  • The screen measures 34 inches diagonally.

• 1 to judge the quality, effect, importance, or value of something:

  • There is no way of measuring the damage done to morale.

• 2 a way of achieving something, or a method for dealing with a situation:

  • What further measures can we take to avoid terrorism?

  • These measures were designed to improve car safety.

  • [ + to infinitive ] Emergency measures to help the refugees are badly needed.

• 3 a unit used for stating the size, weight, etc. of something, or a way of measuring:

  • weights and measures

  • The sample's density is a measure of its purity.

  • There was a large measure of agreement between the candidates.

  • His success was in some measure due to his being in the right place at the right time.

  • One unit of alcohol is equal to half a pint of beer or a standard measure of spirits.

• 4 a way of judging something:

  • Record sales are not always a measure of a singer's popularity.

  • We have no accurate measure of the damage.

• 5 to discover the exact size, amount, etc., of something, or to be of a particular size:

  • [ T ] "Will the table fit in here?" "I don’t know – I’ll measure it."

  • [ L ] The sofa measures (= is of the size of) 3 feet by 7 feet.

• 6 a way to achieve something; a method:

  • Medicare was a measure intended to guarantee health care for everyone over the age of 65.

• 7 a way of measuring, or a way of showing how much or how great something is:

  • [ C ] a system of weights and measures

  • [ U ] It is a measure of his popularity that he got over 70% of the vote.

  • [ U ] There was a large measure of luck in his quick promotion to company vice president.

• 8 to discover the exact size or amount of something:

  • Next, we need to measure the temperature of the mixture.

  • This machine measures the patient's heart rate.

  • measure sth in sth November was a record number for sales when measured in dollars.

  • measuring devices/equipment/techniques

• 9 to be of a particular size:

  • The office measures 12 metres by 6 metres.

• 10 to judge the quality, effect, importance, or value of something:

  • It is difficult to measure the success of the advertising campaign at this early stage.

  • Managers have changed the way they measure performance.

• 11 a way of achieving something, or a method for dealing with a situation:

  • These measures were designed to improve car safety.

  • We will introduce measures to reduce noise levels in the factory.

  • The company will need to take further measures to cut costs.

  • austerity/cost-cutting measures It had taken a series of cost-cutting measures, including closing one of its two plants.

  • drastic/draconian/radical measures

  • preventative/safety/security measures

• 12 a unit used for giving the size, weight, etc. of something:

  • weights and measures

  • The standard measure of efficiency in the airline industry is 'cost per passenger mile'.

• 13 an amount or level of something:

  • There was a large measure of agreement between the two sides in the negotiation.

• 14 a way of judging something:

  • Record sales are not always a measure of a singer's popularity.

  • get a measure of sth It is difficult to get an accurate measure of employee performance in this industry.

  • a good/true/reliable measure Exports as a percentage of total sales are a good measure of international competitiveness.

• 15 if something is given or done for good measure, it is given or done in addition to other things:

  • They're offering a good salary, with a company car thrown in for good measure.

• 16 to understand what someone or something is like and to know how to deal with them:

  • The other team were experienced negotiators, but we had the measure of them.