measure

meas|ure1 [ `meʒər ] noun count ***

▸ 1 action to achieve something

▸ 2 amount (not large/small)

▸ 3 way of judging something

▸ 4 unit of measurement

▸ 5 section of music

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) an action that is intended to achieve or deal with something:

This is a temporary measure to stop the problem from getting any worse.

take measures to do something: Stronger measures will have to be taken to bring down unemployment.

take measures against someone/something: When you are attacked, you take defensive measures against the attacker.

2. ) an amount of a particular quality that is neither large nor small:

The system gives people a measure of protection against pollution.

a ) a standard amount of alcohol served in a bar, restaurant, etc.:

The bartender cheats on the measures he pours out.

3. ) measure of a way of judging something:

The tests are not an accurate measure of performance.

4. ) a unit of measurement:

standard measures of the metric system such as the liter

a ) FORMAL an object such as a RULER used for finding out a particular measurement

b ) FORMAL a system used for expressing a particular quantity:

liquid and dry measures

5. ) AMERICAN any of the sections that a line of printed music is divided into, separated from each other by upright lines. British bar

be a measure of something

to show how good a particular quality is:

The huge volume of mail is a measure of her popularity.

beyond measure MAINLY LITERARY

very large or great:

beauty beyond measure

for good measure

as a way of making something complete or better:

Throw in a splash of red wine for good measure.

the full measure of something FORMAL

all of something, or something at its strongest, most powerful, etc.:

We were treated to the full measure of her anger.

half measures

action that fails to deal with something completely or effectively:

We have to do this right there is no room for half measures.

in full measure FORMAL

to the greatest degree, or in the largest amount possible

in large/no small measure FORMAL

to a great degree:

Our success is due in large measure to the company's founder.

measure

meas|ure 2 [ `meʒər ] verb ***

1. ) intransitive or transitive to find the exact size, amount, speed, etc. of something using a special tool or special equipment:

We measured from the back of the house to the fence.

The satellite measures atmospheric gases responsible for ozone destruction.

a ) transitive to find the size of someone's body in order to buy or make clothes for them:

measure someone for something: He's being measured for a new suit.

b ) linking verb to be a particular size:

The room measures approximately 12 feet by 13 feet.

The bed measured over six feet in width.

2. ) transitive often passive to form an opinion about how good or bad something is:

measure something by something: Success isn't measured by how much money you have.

measure something in terms of something: Popularity is still measured in terms of winning elections.

measure someone/something against someone/something: Measured against the success of their closest rivals, the team's performance looks poor.

,measure `off phrasal verb transitive

to measure a particular length, width, height, etc., often at a point where something is to be cut:

He took the fabric and measured off a couple of yards.

,measure `out phrasal verb transitive

to take a particular amount of something from a larger amount:

Measure out half a cup of sugar.

,measure `up phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive to be good enough:

The machines are being tried out to see how they measure up.

measure up to: Will he measure up to the challenges that lie ahead of him?

2. ) transitive to measure something in preparation for making, building, or fitting something else:

I measure up the boards and then Joe cuts them.