Measure (noun) a unit used to express a quantity; an action taken to achieve a particular aim. Measure (verb) to find the size, amount, or degree of something using a standard unit or scale.
What Does Measure Mean?
Measure comes from Old French mesure and Latin mensura, from the verb metiri meaning "to measure". The same Latin root gives us immense (literally "not measurable"), dimension, and commensurate. The word entered English in the 13th century and has since spread across everyday, scientific, and formal language.
As a noun, measure works in two main ways. It can denote a unit or standard used to quantify something ("a measure of flour"), or it can describe a deliberate action taken to bring about a result ("the government introduced new safety measures"). In music, a measure (also called a bar) is a segment of musical time — though British English strongly prefers bar.
As a verb, measure describes the process of finding a quantity: "She measured the ingredients carefully." It can also be used more figuratively: "It is hard to measure the impact of good teaching." The adjective measured carries an additional meaning of calm and deliberate — "She responded in a measured tone."
Compare measure with measurement (the recorded figure or the process) and gauge (which can mean both a measuring instrument and the act of estimating). Unlike gauge, measure implies a more formal or precise process.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| Please measure the table before you buy a cloth for it. | A2 — simple imperative, verb + direct object |
| One way to measure your progress is to track how many words you learn each month. | B1 — infinitive phrase as subject, figurative verb use |
| The government announced a series of measures to reduce traffic pollution in city centres. | B1 — noun (plural), formal context |
| Scientists use specialised equipment to measure the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere. | B2 — academic/technical register, verb + complex noun phrase |
| Success in this field is difficult to measure in purely financial terms; reputation and influence matter equally. | C1 — complex clause, figurative/abstract use, contrast structure |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| take measures | The school took measures to improve attendance. |
| safety measures | New safety measures were introduced after the accident. |
| security measures | The airport has tightened its security measures. |
| preventive / preventative measures | Preventive measures can reduce the spread of disease. |
| measure progress | Teachers regularly measure students' progress. |
| measure performance | Key indicators are used to measure performance. |
| a measure of success | Her promotion was a measure of her success. |
| beyond measure | His generosity helped the community beyond measure. |
| drastic measures | The crisis called for drastic measures. |
| measure up (to) | Does the new product measure up to expectations? |
Usage Notes
- Noun or verb? Check the sentence position. After an article or adjective (a measure, new measures) it is a noun. After a modal or pronoun subject (we must measure, to measure) it is a verb.
- Measure vs measurement: Measure (noun) refers to a unit or an action. Measurement refers to the result of measuring or the process itself: "Take the measurement of the room" is more precise than "Take the measure of the room."
- Formal register: In academic and business writing, measures (plural noun) is very common: adopt measures, implement measures, introduce measures. This is more formal than saying "do something about it".
- Phrasal verb: Measure up means to reach a required standard: "The candidate did not measure up to the requirements of the role." It is nearly always used in negative or question form.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
We need to take a measure about this problem.
We need to take measures to address this problem. (take measures, not take a measure, when the meaning is "act")
The room measures at 20 square metres.
The room measures 20 square metres. (no preposition at after measures in this pattern)
They measured the success of the project by looking its profits.
They measured the success of the project by looking at its profits. (do not omit the preposition in by looking at)