measures

UK: /ˈmɛʒəz/

From the verb measure: (⇒ conjugate)

measures is: ⓘ

v 3rd person singular

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

measures / ˈmɛʒəz/ noun:plural

1. rock strata that are characterized by a particular type of sediment or deposit: coal measures

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

meas•ure /ˈmɛʒɚ/   n., v., -ured, -ur•ing. 
n. 

1. Weights and Measures a unit or standard of measurement:
   [countable] A second is a measure of time.
2. Weights and Measures a system of measurement:
   [uncountable] an ounce in liquid measure.
3. Weights and Measures an instrument, as a container, that holds a certain amount and has marks indicating the amounts:
   [countable] a one-cup measure.
4. the extent, dimensions, etc., of something, figured by comparison with a standard, or by judging against others:
   [countable* singular] to take the measure of a room.
5. Weights and Measures a known amount measured out:
   [countable] a measure of brandy.
6. reasonable limits:
   [uncountable] spending without measure.
7. Government a legislative bill:
   [countable] a measure to limit campaign spending.
8. Usually, measures. [plural] actions to achieve an end:
   took several measures to divert suspicion.
9. Poetry [countable] a short rhythmical arrangement, as in poetry.

v. 

10. to figure out the size, dimensions, etc., of (something), esp. with a standard:
    [~ + object] measured the floor with a ruler.
11. (of an instrument) to mark off or record the size, amount, or capacity of:
    [~ + object] A clock measures time.
12. to judge by comparison with something or someone else:
    [~ + object] How do we measure pain and suffering?
13. to be of a certain size, amount, etc.:
    [not: be + ~-ing* ~ + object] The yard measured 100 feet by 200 feet.
14. measure out:
    • Also, measure off, to mark off or deal out by measuring: [~ + out/off + object]
      to measure out a cup of flour.
      [~ + object + out/off]
      He measured it out and handed it to her.
15. measure up:
    • [~ + up + to + object] to reach the same level as (something else):
      The exhibition didn't measure up to last year's.
    • [no object] to have the right qualifications:
      He didn't quite measure up, so we didn't hire him.

Idioms

16. Idioms beyond or above measure, too great or too much to be counted, figured, etc.:
    loved her beyond measure.
17. Idioms for good measure, as an extra:
    In addition to dessert, they served chocolates for good measure.
18. Idioms have or take someone's measure, to judge someone's worth:
    They eyed each other warily, each taking the measure of the other.

meas•ure•less, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

meas•ure  (mezh′ər), n., v., -ured, -ur•ing. 
n. 

1. Weights and Measures a unit or standard of measurement:
   weights and measures.
2. Weights and Measures a system of measurement:
   liquid measure.
3. Weights and Measures an instrument, as a graduated rod or a container of standard capacity, for measuring.
4. the extent, dimensions, quantity, etc., of something, ascertained esp. by comparison with a standard:
   to take the measure of a thing.
5. the act or process of ascertaining the extent, dimensions, or quantity of something;
   measurement.
6. Weights and Measures a definite or known quantity measured out:
   to drink a measure of wine.
7. any standard of comparison, estimation, or judgment.
8. a quantity, degree, or proportion:
   in large measure.
9. a moderate amount:
   to live with a measure of enjoyment.
10. a limit, or an extent or degree not to be exceeded:
    to know no measure.
11. reasonable bounds or limits:
    to know no measure.
12. Government a legislative bill or enactment:
    The senate passed the new measure.
13. Usually, measures. actions or procedures intended as a means to an end:
    to take measures to avert suspicion.
14. Poetry a short rhythmical movement or arrangement, as in poetry or music.
15. Poetry a particular kind of such arrangement.
16. Music and Dance the music contained between two bar lines;
    bar.
17. Poetry a metrical unit.
18. Music and Dance an air or melody.
19. Music and Dance a slow, dignified dance.
20. Printing Print. the width, measured in ems or picas, to which a column or page of printed matter is set.
21. Geology measures, Geol. beds;
    strata.
22. Mathematics Math. an abstraction of the property of length;
    a set function assigning to each set of a collection of sets a value, usu. having the properties of sigma finiteness and fnite additivity, the functional value of the whole collection being greater than zero.
23. Idioms beyond measure, too much to be reckoned;
    immeasurably;
    extremely:
    The suffering that they endured was beyond measure.
24. Idioms for good measure, as an extra:
    In addition to dessert, they served chocolates for good measure.
25. Idioms have or take someone's measure, to judge or assess someone's character, capabilities, etc.;
    size up:
    During their conversation she was taking his measure as a prospective employee.
26. Idioms in a or some measure, to some extent or degree:
    His conclusion is justified in some measure.

v.t. 

27. to ascertain the extent, dimensions, quantity, capacity, etc., of, esp. by comparison with a standard:
    to measure boundaries.
28. to mark off or deal out by way of measurement (often fol. by off or out ):
    to measure out two cups of flour.
29. to estimate the relative amount, value, etc., of, by comparison with some standard:
    to measure the importance of an issue.
30. to judge or appraise by comparison with something or someone else:
    to measure Corneille against Racine.
31. to serve as the measure of:
    Her sacrifices measure the degree of her love.
32. to adjust or proportion:
    to measure a portion to one's liking.
33. to bring into comparison or competition:
    to measure one's strength with another's.
34. to travel over;
    traverse:
    to measure a room with great strides.

v.i. 

35. to take measurements.
36. to admit of measurement.
37. to be of a specified measure.
38. Idioms measure one's length, to fall or be knocked down;
    fall flat:
    He missed a step in the dark and measured his length at the bottom.
39. Idioms measure swords:
    • to test one's preparedness for a contest or encounter.
    • to battle with swords.
    • to fight, compete, etc.:
      The producer of the poorly reviewed show decided to measure swords with the critics.
40. measure up,
    • to reach a certain standard: The exhibition didn't measure up to last year's.
    • to be capable or qualified:
      As an administrator, he couldn't quite measure up.

• Latin mēnsūra equivalent. to mēns(us) (past participle of mētīrī  to measure, mete) + -ūra -ure
• Middle French
• Middle English mesure 1250–1300

meas′ur•er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

measure / ˈmɛʒə/ noun

1. the extent, quantity, amount, or degree of something, as determined by measurement or calculation
2. a device for measuring distance, volume, etc, such as a graduated scale or container
3. a system of measurement: give the size in metric measure
4. a standard used in a system of measurements
5. a specific or standard amount of something: a measure of grain, short measure, full measure
6. a basis or standard for comparison
7. reasonable or permissible limit or bounds: we must keep it within measure
8. degree or extent (often in phrases such as in some measure, in a measure, etc): they gave us a measure of freedom
9. (often plural) a particular action intended to achieve an effect
10. a legislative bill, act, or resolution
11. another word for bar115a
12. poetic rhythm or cadence; metre
13. a metrical foot
14. a melody or tune
15. the act of measuring; measurement
16. a dance
17. the width of a page or column of type
18. for good measure ⇒ as an extra precaution or beyond requirements
19. made to measure ⇒ (of clothes) made to fit an individual purchaser

verb

1. (transitive) often followed by up: to determine the size, amount, etc, of by measurement
2. (intransitive) to make a measurement or measurements
3. (transitive) to estimate or determine
4. (transitive) to function as a measurement of: the ohm measures electrical resistance
5. (transitive) to bring into competition or conflict: he measured his strength against that of his opponent
6. (intransitive) to be as specified in extent, amount, etc: the room measures six feet
7. (transitive) to travel or move over as if measuring

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French, from Latin mēnsūra measure, from mēnsus, past participle of mētīrī to measure