Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

measure

1 verb
     
Related topics: Measurement
mea‧sure1 S2 W2
1 [transitive]TM to find the size, length, or amount of something, using standard units such as inches, metres etc:
The rainfall was measured over a three-month period.
measure somebody for something (=measure someone in order to make clothes for them)
She was being measured for her wedding dress.
measure something in something
We can measure the energy that food provides in calories.
measuring jug/cup/tape (=one used for measuring)
2 [transitive] to judge the importance, value, or true nature of something [= assess]:
Doctors say it is too early to measure the effectiveness of the drug.
measure something by something
Education shouldn't be measured purely by examination results.
3 [linking verb]TM to be a particular size, length, or amount:
The room measures 6x6 metres.
The earthquake measured 6.5 on the Richter scale.
4 [transitive]TM if a piece of equipment measures something, it shows or records a particular kind of measurement:
An odometer measures the number of miles your car travels.

measure somebody/something against somebody/something

phrasal verb
to judge someone or something by comparing them with another person or thing:
Bridget did not think she had to measure herself against some ideal standard.
Measured against our budget last year, $2.7 million seems small.

measure something ↔ off

phrasal verb
TM to measure a particular length or distance, and make a mark so that you can see the beginning and end:
He measured off three yards of rope.

measure something ↔ out

phrasal verb
TM to take a specific amount of liquid, powder etc from a larger amount:
Measure out 100 grams of flour.

measure up

phrasal verb
1 to be good enough to do a particular job or to reach a particular standard:
We'll give you a week's trial in the job to see how you measure up.
measure up to
How will the Secretary General measure up to his new responsibilities?
2TM to measure something before you do something, for example before you put in new furniture, cupboards etc:
I'd better measure up before I start laying the carpet.
measure something ↔ up
Measure up any items that you want to keep in the kitchen.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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