1 mea·sure
Pronounced:
/ˈmɛʒɚ/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural mea·suresMeaning:
1 : an amount or degree of something [count] ▪ She felt equal measures of hope and fear. —usually singular ▪ The province has gained a large measure of freedom. ▪ Their children want a greater measure of independence. [=they want more independence] ▪ The coating provides a measure of protection [=provides some protection] against corrosion. ▪ The proposal has been met with a measure [=a certain amount] of skepticism. ▪ The alarm system provides an added measure of security. [=provides more security] [noncount] ▪ The show mixes comedy and drama in equal measure. [=in equal amounts] ▪ He returned their hostility in full measure. [=he was as hostile toward them as they were toward him] ▪ The company's success is due in no small measure to her talents. [=its success is largely due to her talents] ▪ Their actions were motivated in large measure by a desire for revenge. ▪ An occasion like this calls for some measure of decorum.
2 [count] a : something (such as a cup or a ruler) that is used to measure things —see also tape measure b : a unit used in measuring something ▪ The meter is a measure of length. ▪ The dictionary includes a table of weights and measures. —see also made-to-measure
3 [count] : an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result ▪ The legislature has passed a measure aimed at protecting consumers. ▪ The governor has proposed a number of cost-cutting measures. ▪ They were forced to resort to desperate/extreme measures. ▪ protective/punitive/preventive measures ▪ We need to take measures to protect ourselves.
4 [count] : a sign or indication of something —usually singular ▪ Wealth is not a measure of happiness. ▪ Her willingness to compromise is a measure of how much she's changed.
5 [count] : a way of judging something ▪ The company is a success by any measure. ▪ Are IQ tests the best measure of intelligence?
6 [count] chiefly US music : a part of a line of written music that is between two vertical lines or the group of beats between these lines ▪ a brief clarinet solo in the third measure ▪ Can you hum a few measures [=bars] of that song?
2 [count] a : something (such as a cup or a ruler) that is used to measure things —see also tape measure b : a unit used in measuring something ▪ The meter is a measure of length. ▪ The dictionary includes a table of weights and measures. —see also made-to-measure
3 [count] : an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result ▪ The legislature has passed a measure aimed at protecting consumers. ▪ The governor has proposed a number of cost-cutting measures. ▪ They were forced to resort to desperate/extreme measures. ▪ protective/punitive/preventive measures ▪ We need to take measures to protect ourselves.
4 [count] : a sign or indication of something —usually singular ▪ Wealth is not a measure of happiness. ▪ Her willingness to compromise is a measure of how much she's changed.
5 [count] : a way of judging something ▪ The company is a success by any measure. ▪ Are IQ tests the best measure of intelligence?
6 [count] chiefly US music : a part of a line of written music that is between two vertical lines or the group of beats between these lines ▪ a brief clarinet solo in the third measure ▪ Can you hum a few measures [=bars] of that song?
beyond measure
formal : to a very great degree ▪ an artist who is talented beyond (all) measure [=who is exceptionally talented] ▪ Her joy was beyond measure. [=she was very happy]
for good measure
: as something added or extra ▪ He performed his most recent songs, and then threw in a couple of old ones for good measure.
have/take/get the measure of (someone) or have/take/get someone's measure
chiefly Brit : to have or get a good understanding about what is needed to defeat or deal with (someone you are competing against) ▪ She failed to take the measure of her opponent. [=she failed to realize how good her opponent was]