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Definition of measure noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

measure

noun
 OPAL WOPAL S
 
/ˈmeʒə(r)/
 
/ˈmeʒər/
Idioms
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    official action

  1.  
     [countable] an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim
    • safety/austerity measures
    • a temporary/an emergency measure
    • a series/number/range of measures
    • a package of measures aimed at cutting pollution
    • New security measures were implemented to prevent further violence.
    • as a… measure Police in riot gear were in attendance as a precautionary measure.
    • measure to do something We must take preventive measures to reduce crime in the area.
    • The government is introducing tougher measures to combat crime.
    • measure against something They are demanding harsher measures against racism.
    Synonyms actionactionmeasure ▪ step ▪ act ▪ moveThese are all words for a thing that somebody does.action a thing that somebody does:
    • Can you explain your actions?
    measure an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim:
    • Tougher measures against racism are needed.
    step one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve something:
    • This was a first step towards a united Europe.
    act a thing that somebody does:
    • an act of kindness
     action or act?These two words have the same meaning but are used in different patterns. An act is usually followed by of and/​or used with an adjective. Action is not usually used with of but is often used with his, her, etc: a heroic act of bravery • a heroic action of bravery • his heroic actions/​acts during the war. Action often combines with take but act does not: We shall take whatever acts are necessary. move (used especially in the media) an action that you do or need to do to achieve something:
    • They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
    Patterns
    • to take action/​measures/​steps
    • to make a step/​move
    • a heroic/​brave/​daring action/​step/​act/​move
    see also half measures, safety measure
    Extra Examples
    • Development of new water sources needs to be combined with conservation measures.
    • They are taking measures to ensure they do not overspend the budget.
    • Special measures are being taken to protect the local water supplies.
    • The authorities are using increasingly repressive measures.
    • We had to resort to extraordinary measures to find employees.
    • We urge you to adopt all necessary measures to guarantee people's safety.
    • The company introduced a number of measures designed to improve working conditions.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • appropriate
    • effective
    • necessary
    • …
    … of measures
    • package
    • raft
    • range
    • …
    verb + measure
    • employ
    • implement
    • impose
    • …
    measure + verb
    • be aimed at something
    • be designed to
    • be intended to
    • …
    preposition
    • measure against
    • measure for
    See full entry
    2.

    unit of size/quantity

  2.  
     [countable, uncountable] a unit used for stating the size, quantity or degree of something; a system or a scale of these units
    • weights and measures
    • The Richter Scale is a measure of ground motion.
    • Which measure of weight do pharmacists use?
    • liquid/dry measure
    see also customary measure
    Extra Examples
    • an accurate measure of length
    • Higher scores on this standardized measure indicate greater creativity.
    • This measure is obtained by dividing corporate profits by corporate bond yields.
    • Charlemagne standardized weights and measures which made it easier to determine the value of goods.
    Topics Maths and measurementb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • accurate
    • direct
    • fair
    • …
    verb + measure
    • calculate
    • derive
    • obtain
    • …
    preposition
    • measure of
    phrases
    • weights and measures
    See full entry
  3. [countable] (especially of alcohol) a standard quantity
    • a generous measure of whisky
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • accurate
    • direct
    • fair
    • …
    verb + measure
    • calculate
    • derive
    • obtain
    • …
    preposition
    • measure of
    phrases
    • weights and measures
    See full entry
    4.

    way of showing/judging

  4.  
     [countable] a way of judging or measuring something
    • measure of something an accurate measure of ability
    • Is this test a good measure of reading comprehension?
    • Exam results are only one measure of a school's success.
    • as a… measure Companies can use their stock price as a performance measure.
    Extra Examples
    • A reliable measure of progress is whether your children can do something they couldn't do before.
    • The price of housing relative to income is an important measure of real income.
    • They tried to formulate a quantitative measure of well-being.
    • This figure alone is not a fair measure of our success.
    • This figure provides an objective measure of risk.
    • We still have no objective measure of pain in babies.
    • GDP is considered the broadest measure of a country's economic activity.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • crude
    • reliable
    • simple
    • …
    preposition
    • measure of
    See full entry
  5. [singular] measure of something a sign of the size or the strength of something
    • Sending flowers is a measure of how much you care.
    Extra Examples
    • Accepting the lower salary was seen as an important measure of commitment.
    • Her hand trembled slightly, a measure of her anxiety.
    • Landed income was the true measure of the gentry.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • accurate
    • direct
    • fair
    • …
    verb + measure
    • calculate
    • derive
    • obtain
    • …
    preposition
    • measure of
    phrases
    • weights and measures
    See full entry
    6.

    amount

  6. [singular] measure of something a particular amount of something, especially a fairly large amount synonym degree
    • A measure of technical knowledge is desirable in this job.
    • She achieved some measure of success with her first book.
    • It was a success, containing equal measures of unbridled anarchy and infantile fun.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • broad
    • considerable
    • fair
    • …
    preposition
    • measure of
    phrases
    • in considerable, large, some, etc. measure
    • in equal measure
    • in no small measure
    • …
    See full entry
    7.

    instrument for measuring

  7. [countable] an instrument such as a stick, a long tape or a container that is marked with standard units and is used for measuring see also tape measure

    8. suggested new law

  8. [countable] (North American English) a written suggestion, especially one for a new law made by the lawmakers of a state
    • a motion to refer the measure to another committee
    • a ballot measure (= a change in the law that voters decide on)
    Extra Examples
    • The mayor threatened to veto a measure passed by the city council.
    • The Committee unanimously approved the measure.
    9.

    in music

  9. (British English usually bar)
     [countable] one of the short sections of equal length that a piece of music is divided into, and the notes that are in it
    • The band began playing the opening measures.
    Extra Examples
    • He placed his fingers on the keys and played a few measures.
    • a steady rhythm of four beats to a measure
    • the first few measures of Mozart's third violin concerto
    Topics Musicc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • first
    • opening
    verb + measure
    • hear
    • play
    • sing
    • …
    preposition
    • measure of
    • per measure
    • to a/​the measure
    • …
    See full entry
    10. Word OriginMiddle English (as a noun in the senses ‘moderation’, ‘instrument for measuring’, ‘unit of capacity’): from Old French mesure, from Latin mensura, from mens- ‘measured’, from the verb metiri.
Idioms
beyond measure
  1. (formal) very much
    • He irritated me beyond measure.
for good measure
  1. as an extra amount of something in addition to what has already been done or given
    • Use 50g of rice per person and an extra spoonful for good measure.
    • ‘I’m no good at puzzles. I can’t even do crosswords,’ she added for good measure.
full/short measure
  1. the whole of something or less of something than you expect or should have
    • We experienced the full measure of their hospitality.
    • The concert only lasted an hour, so we felt we were getting short measure.
get/take/have the measure of somebody/something | get/have/take somebody’s measure
  1. (formal) to form an opinion about something, especially somebody’s character or abilities, so that you can deal with them
    • After only one game, the chess champion had the measure of his young opponent.
    Topics Opinion and argumentc2
in full measure
  1. (formal) to the greatest possible degree
    • My expectations had been met in full measure.
in large measure | in large part
  1. (formal) to a great extent
    • Their success is due in large measure to their determination.
in large part | in large measure
  1. (formal) to a great extent
    • Their success is due in large part to their determination.
in no small measure | in some, equal, etc. measure
  1. (formal) to a large extent or degree; to some, etc. extent or degree
    • The introduction of a new tax accounted in no small measure for the downfall of the government.
    • Our thanks are due in equal measure to every member of the team.
    Extra Examples
    • He's been praised and condemned in equal measure.
    • His success was due in large measure to your help.
made to measure
  1. (British English) made especially for one person according to particular measurements synonym bespoke
    • You'll need to get a suit made to measure.
    • I’m having the curtains made to measure.
    • a made-to-measure suit
    Topics Clothes and Fashionc1
See measure in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee measure in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: measure

Nearby words

alloy
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Physics and chemistry
C2
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