standard

stan|dard1 [ `stændərd ] noun ***

1. ) count or uncount a level of quality or achievement, especially one that people generally consider normal or acceptable:

raise/improve/lower standards: What can be done to raise standards in schools?

meet/achieve/conform to/comply with standards: They must supply water that complies with medical health standards.

set (someone) a standard: He sets himself such high standards that he often disappoints himself.

Laurence Olivier set the standard for (=was the best example of) acting in the 20th century.

of a high/low standard: She always produces work of a high standard.

below/not up to standard: The food that was provided yesterday was not up to standard.

standard of: higher standards of service in hospitals

a ) count usually plural a level of quality or achievement used for judging someone or something:

The work must conform to industry standards.

The first computers were terribly slow by today's standards.

by any standard(s): The building was still magnificent by any standards.

by someone's/something's standards: Getting up at 8 o'clock was early by her standards.

2. ) standards plural traditional principles of good behavior:

declining moral standards

3. ) count a song that has become well known and is performed by a lot of different singers or bands

4. ) count a flag that represents a particular person or group and is used on special occasions

a ) a pole with a flag or other symbol at the top that is carried at the front of a military march

=> STANDARD OF LIVING

standard

stan|dard 2 [ `stændərd ] adjective ***

1. ) generally used or accepted as normal:

It's a standard reply that the company sends out to applicants.

as standard: All the cars are equipped with air conditioning as standard.

standard practice/procedure: It is standard practice for the school to inform the parents whenever a child is punished.

2. ) generally accepted as correct:

the teaching of Standard English

3. ) only before noun a standard book or work is one that most people use because it is the most respected in a particular subject:

This condition is not mentioned in standard medical textbooks.

4. ) usually before noun made or done according to a generally accepted set of rules, measurements, etc.:

The promotional pack was 20 percent bigger than the standard size.