Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: MEASUREMENT

Date: 1100-1200
Language: Old French
Origin: mesure, from Latin mensura, from metiri 'to measure'

measure

2 noun
     
measure2 W3 [countable]
1

action

PG an action, especially an official one, that is intended to deal with a particular problem [= step]:
Measures are being taken to reduce crime in the city.
drastic/tough/extreme etc measures
drastic measures to reduce traffic problems
New safety measures were being demanded after last night's horrific train crash.
The new bridge was erected as a temporary measure to replace the one which was destroyed by floods.
precautionary/preventative measure (=something done to stop something bad from happening)
He was kept in hospital overnight as a precautionary measure.
2

half measures

things done to deal with a difficult situation that are not effective or firm enough:
This was no time for half measures and compromises.
3

sign/proof

be a measure of something

formal be a sign of the importance, strength etc of something, or a way of testing or judging something:
The flowers and tears at the funeral were a measure of the people's love for her.
Exam results are not necessarily a true measure of a student's abilities.
4

amount

a measure of something

an amount of something good or something that you want, for example success or freedom:
The new law gives local governments a significant measure of control over their own finances.
I met a number of sportsmen who had achieved a measure of success (=some success).
5

unit of measurement

TM
a) an amount or unit in a measuring system:
b) DFD a standard amount of an alcoholic drink
6

in large measure/in some measure

a lot or quite a lot - used when talking about the reason or cause of something:
The improvements are due in large measure to his leadership.
7

in equal measure

used when the amount of one thing is the same as the amount of another thing:
I was angry and embarrassed in equal measure.
8

for good measure

in addition to what you have already done, given, or included:
Why don't you try phoning them one more time, for good measure?
9

beyond measure

very much or very great - used when you want to emphasize what you are saying:
10

the full measure of something

formal the whole of something:
Ralph received the full measure of his mother's devotion.
11

in full measure

formal if someone gives something back in full measure, they give back as much as they received:
They returned our hospitality in full measure.
12

have/get the measure of something

to become familiar with something, so that you can control or deal with it
13

have/get the measure of somebody

British English to know what someone's strengths and weaknesses are, so that you are able to deal with them or defeat them:
She soon got the measure of her opponent.
14

thing used for measuring

TM something used for measuring, for example a piece of wood or a container ➔ tape measure
15

music

a group of notes and rests, separated from other groups by vertical lines, into which a piece of music is divided [= bar British English]
➔ made-to-measure

➔ give somebody short measure

at short1 (23)
Definition of measure from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic MEASUREMENT

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balance box calculator cc cl clock cm cu cup degree density depth dimension factor foot ft g GB gm grid high inch instrument kg km l league length max maximum mean measure(v) measure(n) measurement medium meter(n) meter(v) -meter mg MHz mile minute ml oz part plus point read reading record reset rev rule scale sq. ton unit volume watch weight width zero

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