to find the size, quantity, etc. of something in standard units
measure something/somebodya device that measures the level of radiation in the atmosphere
Blood pressure and heart rate should be measured before treatment.
A nurse visited country schools to weigh and measure children.
measuring equipment/instruments
measure something in somethingA ship's speed is measured in knots.
measure somebody/something for somethingHe's gone to be measured for a new suit.
measure how much, how long, etc…A dipstick is used to measure how much oil is left in an engine.
Extra Examples
Body temperatures were measured with a digital thermometer.
The wage price index measures hourly rates of pay.
Cloth is measured in metres.
You can now measure its length more accurately.
They measure the time taken by each rat to find the centre of the maze.
Biomarkers can measure your biological age, regardless of what your birth certificate says.
Any type of data that could not be directly measured was rejected.
Education policy places too much emphasis on things that can be quantitatively measured.
Topics Cooking and eatingb1,Maths and measurementb1
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
accurately
exactly
precisely
…
verb + measure
be able to
can
be easy to
…
preposition
for
in
See full entry
linking verb(not used in the progressive tenses)+ nounto be a particular size, length, amount, etc.
The main bedroom measures 12ft by 15ft.
The pond measures about 2 metres across.
The whole plot measures just 13ft wide at the front.
The earthquake measured 8.4 on the Richter scale.
Extra Examples
The burial chamber measures approximately 85m wide and stands 12m high.
The mantis nymph typically measures 4mm in size.
Topics Maths and measurementb2
judge
measure something|measure how, what, etc…to judge the importance, value or effect of somethingsynonymassess
It is difficult to measure the success of the campaign at this stage.
The company never measures success in dollars alone.
Regular tests are used to measure students' progress.
How does a teacher measure performance in music or gym, for example?
Extra Examples
Success is measured by the enjoyment of the audience.
Is it really possible to measure the skills of such jobs according to objective standards?
It is hard to measure the benefits to society of the system.
Success cannot be measured merely in terms of the size of your salary.
The policy's effectiveness cannot be measured by numbers alone.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
easily
effectively
objectively
…
verb + measure
can
be easy to
be possible to
…
preposition
according to
against
by
…
phrases
a method of measuring something
a way of measuring something
See full entry
Word OriginMiddle English (as a noun in the senses ‘moderation’, ‘instrument for measuring’, ‘unit of capacity’): from Old French mesure, from Latin mensura, from mens- ‘measured’, from the verb metiri.
measure
noun
OPAL WOPAL S
/ˈmeʒə(r)/
/ˈmeʒər/
Idioms
jump to other results
official action
[countable]an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim
safety/austerity measures
a temporary/an emergency measure
a series/number/range of measures
a package of measures aimed at cutting pollution
New security measures were implemented to prevent further violence.
as a… measurePolice in riot gear were in attendance as a precautionary measure.
measure to do somethingWe must take preventive measures to reduce crime in the area.
The government is introducing tougher measures to combat crime.
measure against somethingThey are demanding harsher measures against racism.
Synonyms actionaction
measure
step
act
move
These are all words for a thing that somebody does.
actiona thing that somebody does:
Can you explain your actions?
measurean official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim:
Tougher measures against racism are needed.
stepone of a series of things that you do in order to achieve something:
This was a first step towards a united Europe.
acta thing that somebody does:
an act of kindness
action or act?These two words have the same meaning but are used in different patterns. An act is usually followed by of and/or used with an adjective. Action is not usually used with of but is often used with his, her, etc: a heroic act of bravery • a heroic action of bravery • his heroic actions/acts during the war.Action often combines with take but act does not: We shall take whatever acts are necessary.
move(used especially in the media) an action that you do or need to do to achieve something:
They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
Patterns
to take action/measures/steps
to make a step/move
a heroic/brave/daring action/step/act/move
see alsohalf measures,safety measure
Extra Examples
Development of new water sources needs to be combined with conservation measures.
They are taking measures to ensure they do not overspend the budget.
Special measures are being taken to protect the local water supplies.
The authorities are using increasingly repressive measures.
We had to resort to extraordinary measures to find employees.
We urge you to adopt all necessary measures to guarantee people's safety.
The company introduced a number of measures designed to improve working conditions.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
appropriate
effective
necessary
…
… of measures
package
raft
range
…
verb + measure
employ
implement
impose
…
measure + verb
be aimed at something
be designed to
be intended to
…
preposition
measure against
measure for
See full entry
unit of size/quantity
[countable, uncountable]a unit used for stating the size, quantity or degree of something; a system or a scale of these units
weights and measures
The Richter Scale is a measure of ground motion.
Which measure of weight do pharmacists use?
liquid/dry measure
see alsocustomary measure
Extra Examples
an accurate measure of length
Higher scores on this standardized measure indicate greater creativity.
This measure is obtained by dividing corporate profits by corporate bond yields.
Charlemagne standardized weights and measures which made it easier to determine the value of goods.
Topics Maths and measurementb2
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
accurate
direct
fair
…
verb + measure
calculate
derive
obtain
…
preposition
measure of
phrases
weights and measures
See full entry
[countable](especially of alcohol)a standard quantity
a generous measure of whisky
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
accurate
direct
fair
…
verb + measure
calculate
derive
obtain
…
preposition
measure of
phrases
weights and measures
See full entry
way of showing/judging
[countable]a way of judging or measuring something
measure of somethingan accurate measure of ability
Is this test a good measure of reading comprehension?
Exam results are only one measure of a school's success.
as a… measureCompanies can use their stock price as a performance measure.
Extra Examples
A reliable measure of progress is whether your children can do something they couldn't do before.
The price of housing relative to income is an important measure of real income.
They tried to formulate a quantitative measure of well-being.
This figure alone is not a fair measure of our success.
This figure provides an objective measure of risk.
We still have no objective measure of pain in babies.
GDP is considered the broadest measure of a country's economic activity.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
crude
reliable
simple
…
preposition
measure of
See full entry
[singular]measure of somethinga sign of the size or the strength of something
Sending flowers is a measure of how much you care.
Extra Examples
Accepting the lower salary was seen as an important measure of commitment.
Her hand trembled slightly, a measure of her anxiety.
Landed income was the true measure of the gentry.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
accurate
direct
fair
…
verb + measure
calculate
derive
obtain
…
preposition
measure of
phrases
weights and measures
See full entry
amount
[singular]measure of somethinga particular amount of something, especially a fairly large amountsynonymdegree
A measure of technical knowledge is desirable in this job.
She achieved some measure of success with her first book.
It was a success, containing equal measures of unbridled anarchy and infantile fun.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
broad
considerable
fair
…
preposition
measure of
phrases
in considerable, large, some, etc. measure
in equal measure
in no small measure
…
See full entry
instrument for measuring
[countable]an instrument such as a stick, a long tape or a container that is marked with standard units and is used for measuringsee alsotape measure
suggested new law
[countable](North American English)a written suggestion, especially one for a new law made by the lawmakers of a state
a motion to refer the measure to another committee
a ballot measure (= a change in the law that voters decide on)
Extra Examples
The mayor threatened to veto a measure passed by the city council.
The Committee unanimously approved the measure.
in music
enlarge image
(British English usuallybar)
[countable]one of the short sections of equal length that a piece of music is divided into, and the notes that are in it
Extra Examples
The band began playing the opening measures.
He placed his fingers on the keys and played a few measures.
a steady rhythm of four beats to a measure
the first few measures of Mozart's third violin concerto
Topics Musicc2
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
first
opening
verb + measure
hear
play
sing
…
preposition
measure of
per measure
to a/the measure
…
See full entry
Word OriginMiddle English (as a noun in the senses ‘moderation’, ‘instrument for measuring’, ‘unit of capacity’): from Old French mesure, from Latin mensura, from mens- ‘measured’, from the verb metiri.
Idioms
beyond measure
(formal)very much
He irritated me beyond measure.
for good measure
as an extra amount of something in addition to what has already been done or given
Use 50g of rice per person and an extra spoonful for good measure.
‘I’m no good at puzzles. I can’t even do crosswords,’ she added for good measure.
full/short measure
the whole of something or less of something than you expect or should have
We experienced the full measure of their hospitality.
The concert only lasted an hour, so we felt we were getting short measure.
get/take/have the measure of somebody/something | get/have/take somebody’s measure
(formal)to form an opinion about something, especially somebody’s character or abilities, so that you can deal with them
After only one game, the chess champion had the measure of his young opponent.
Topics Opinion and argumentc2
in full measure
(formal)to the greatest possible degree
My expectations had been met in full measure.
in large measure | in large part
(formal)to a great extent
Their success is due in large measure to their determination.
in large part | in large measure
(formal)to a great extent
Their success is due in large part to their determination.
in no small measure | in some, equal, etc. measure
(formal)to a large extent or degree; to some, etc. extent or degree
The introduction of a new tax accounted in no small measure for the downfall of the government.
Our thanks are due in equal measure to every member of the team.
Extra Examples
He's been praised and condemned in equal measure.
His success was due in large measure to your help.
made to measure
(British English)made especially for one person according to particular measurementssynonymbespoke
enlarge imageto find the size, quantity, etc. of something in standard units
