Definition of “measure” - English Dictionary

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“measure” in English

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measureverb

uk ​ /ˈmeʒ.ər/ us ​ /ˈmeʒ.ɚ/

measure verb (SIZE)

B2 [ T ] 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.

› [ L only + noun ] to be a particular size:

The area, measuring/which measures five kilometres by three kilometres, has been purchased by the army.
The screen measures 34 inches diagonally.

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Phrasal verb(s)

measure sb/sth against sb/sth
measure sth out
measure up
measure sb/sth up

measurenoun

uk ​ /ˈmeʒ.ər/ us ​ /ˈmeʒ.ɚ/

measure noun (METHOD)

B2 [ C usually plural ] 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.

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measure noun (SIZE)

› [ C or U ] 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.

C2 [ C or U ] formal amount:

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.

C2 [ C ] an exact amount, especially of alcohol:

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

› [ C ] US a bar noun

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measure noun (WAY OF JUDGING)

C2 [ C ] 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.

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Idiom(s)

have the measure of sb/sth

(Definition of “measure” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“measure” in American English

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measureverb

us ​ /ˈmeʒ·ər/

measure verb (SIZE)

› 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.

Phrasal verb(s)

measure up

measurenoun

us ​ /ˈmeʒ·ər/

measure noun (METHOD)

› [ C ] a way to achieve something; a method:

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

measure noun (SIZE)

› [ C/U ] 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.

› [ C/U ] Measure can also mean amount or degree:

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

› music [ C/U ] A measure is also one of the small equal parts into which a piece of music is divided, containing a fixed number of beats; a bar.

(Definition of “measure” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“measure” in Business English

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measureverb

uk ​ /ˈmeʒər/ us ​

› [ I or T ] 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

› [ T ] to be of a particular size:

The office measures 12 metres by 6 metres.

› [ T ] 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.

Phrasal verb(s)

measure sth against sth
measure sth out
measure up
measure sth/sb up

measurenoun

uk ​ /ˈmeʒər/ us ​

› [ C, usually plural ] 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

› [ C ] MEASURES 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'.

› [ C or U ] an amount or level of something:

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

› [ C ] 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.
for good measure

› 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.
have the measure of sb/sth

› 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.

See also

countermeasure
dry measure
made-to-measure

(Definition of “measure” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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measure

Our point of departure is that the most important measure for reducing the risks associated with drug dependence is that of preventing dependence itself.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Are the opponents of this measure, the defenders of zero-tolerance convinced so little by their arguments that they are coming to fear a simple evaluation?
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The fear that small entrepreneurs may be harmed by the measure would be solved by means of the establishment of a minimum threshold or a minimum insurance.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
In our opinion, we need to set up an ad hoc fund, a measure which could even be temporary for implementing recovery plans.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The necessary measure to combat these diseases would lead to an overall lifting of the quality of life for some of the world's poorest people.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Then there is the storage of communications traffic data, an example of a measure that leads only to false security, if ever there was one.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We will challenge these reforms for millions of employees and we will oppose a simple measure, an increase in employer contributions.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The establishment of the ‘legal requirement’ to deposit the master copy is a further welcome measure in preserving people’s collective memory and identity.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Unfortunately, the fact is that people who at present come from other countries become, in large measure, unemployed, and that is something we naturally should do something about.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Such a measure is urgently needed.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
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