Measure vs. Measurement — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 11, 2024
A measure refers to a standard or system for quantifying, while a measurement is the act of determining the size, amount, or degree using this standard.
Difference Between Measure and Measurement
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Measure refers to a standard used for comparison or a tool for assessing quantity or degree, like a ruler or scale. It's about establishing a reference for evaluation. For example, in cooking, a cup is a measure for volume. Measurement, on the other hand, is the act or process of applying this standard to determine the size, length, or amount of something. It's about the action and its result. For instance, measuring flour involves using a cup to determine how much flour is needed for a recipe.
While measure provides a means or unit for comparison, such as inches or meters, measurement deals with the application of these units to find out the dimensions, capacity, or quantity of something. For example, using a tape measure to find the length of a table.
Measure often serves as a broader term that can imply a plan or course of action, not just quantification. For instance, a government might take measures to improve public health. Measurement strictly pertains to the act of quantifying using specific tools or units.
In some contexts, measure can also refer to a legislative bill or proposal, highlighting its diverse application beyond just quantification. Measurement remains focused on the process and outcome of quantifying something according to specified units.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A standard or system for quantifying.
The act of determining size, amount, or degree.
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Application
Establishes a reference for evaluation.
Applies the standard to determine dimensions.
Contexts
Can imply plans or actions beyond quantification.
Strictly related to the act of quantifying.
Example Tools
Ruler, cup (for volume), meter stick.
The process of using these tools to quantify.
Broader Use
Can refer to legislative proposals or plans.
Focused solely on quantification and its results.
Compare with Definitions
Measure
Quantification Reference.
In recipes, teaspoons are a common measure for small quantities.
Measurement
Quantifying Process.
The measurement of the room's length requires a measuring tape.
Measure
Tool for Assessment.
Use a thermometer as a measure to determine the temperature.
Measurement
Determination of Dimensions.
The architect took careful measurements before designing the plan.
Measure
Plan or Course of Action.
The new policy serves as a measure to reduce unemployment.
Measurement
Application of Standards.
Accurate measurement is crucial for scientific experiments.
Measure
Legislative Proposal.
The senate passed a measure aimed at improving cyber security.
Measurement
Quantitative Assessment.
The measurement of ingredients is vital in baking for consistency.
Measure
Standard for Comparison.
The meter is a measure of length used worldwide.
Measurement
Result of Measuring.
The measurement came out to be exactly 3 meters.
Measure
A reference standard or sample used for the quantitative comparison of properties
The standard kilogram is maintained as a measure of mass.
Measurement
Measurement is the quantification of attributes of an object or event, which can be used to compare with other objects or events. The scope and application of measurement are dependent on the context and discipline.
Measure
A unit specified by a scale, such as an inch, or by variable conditions, such as a day's march.
Measurement
The action of measuring something
Accurate measurement is essential
A telescope with which precise measurements can be made
Measure
A system of measurement, such as the metric system.
Measurement
The act of measuring or the process of being measured.
Measure
The dimensions, quantity, or capacity of something as ascertained by comparison with a standard
Curtains made to measure.
Took his measure for the suit jacket.
Measurement
A system of measuring
Measurement in miles.
Measure
A device used for measuring.
Measurement
The dimension, quantity, or capacity determined by measuring
The measurements of a room.
Measure
The act of measuring
By measure the picture was four feet tall.
Measurement
The act of measuring.
Measure
An evaluation or a basis of comparison
"the final measure of the worth of a society" (Joseph Wood Krutch).
Measurement
Value (quantity, magnitude, extent or amount) determined by an act of measuring.
Measure
Extent or degree
The problem was in large measure caused by his carelessness.
Measurement
The act or result of measuring; mensuration; as, measurement is required.
Measure
A definite quantity that has been measured out
A measure of wine.
Measurement
The extent, size, capacity, amount. or quantity ascertained by measuring; as, its measurement is five acres.
Measure
A fitting amount
A measure of recognition.
Measurement
The act or process of measuring;
The measurements were carefully done
His mental measurings proved remarkably accurate
Measure
A limited amount or degree
A measure of goodwill.
Measure
Limit; bounds
Generosity knowing no measure.
Measure
Appropriate restraint; moderation
"The union of ... fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this surely is the ideal" (William James).
Measure
An action taken as a means to an end; an expedient
Measures taken to improve energy efficiency.
Measure
A law or ballot initiative adopted by a legislature as a remedy for a problem.
Measure
Poetic meter.
Measure
(Music) The metric unit between two bars on the staff; a bar.
Measure
To ascertain the dimensions, quantity, or capacity of
Measured the height of the ceiling.
Measure
To mark, lay out, or establish dimensions for by measuring
Measure off an area.
Measure
To mark off or apportion, usually with reference to a given unit of measurement
Measure out a pint of milk.
Measure
To allot or distribute as if by measuring; mete
The revolutionary tribunal measured out harsh justice.
Measure
To estimate by evaluation or comparison
"I gave them an account ... of the situation as far as I could measure it" (Winston S. Churchill).
Measure
To bring into comparison
She measured her power with that of a dangerous adversary.
Measure
To serve as a measure of
The inch measures length.
Measure
To consider or choose with care; weigh
He measures his words with caution.
Measure
(Archaic) To travel over
"We must measure twenty miles today" (Shakespeare).
Measure
To be of a specific measurement
The room measures 12 by 20 feet.
Measure
To take a measurement.
Measure
To allow of measurement
White sugar measures more easily than brown.
Measure
A prescribed quantity or extent.
Measure
(obsolete) Moderation, temperance.
Measure
A limit that cannot be exceeded; a bound. (Now chiefly in set phrases.)
Measure
An (unspecified) portion or quantity.
Measure
The act or result of measuring.
Measure
A receptacle or vessel of a standard size, capacity etc. as used to deal out specific quantities of some substance.
A measure of salt
Measure
A standard against which something can be judged; a criterion.
Honesty is the true measure of a man.
Measure
Any of various standard units of capacity.
The villagers paid a tithe of a thousand measures of corn.
Measure
A unit of measurement.
Measure
The size of someone or something, as ascertained by measuring. (Now chiefly in make to measure.)
Measure
The act or process of measuring.
Measure
A ruler, measuring stick, or graduated tape used to take measurements.
Measure
A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; a divisor or factor.
The greatest common measure of two or more numbers
Measure
(geology) A bed or stratum.
Coal measures; lead measures
Measure
(mathematics) A function that assigns a non-negative number to a given set following the mathematical nature that is common among length, volume, probability and the like.
Measure
Metrical rhythm.
Measure
A melody.
Measure
A dance.
Measure
(poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a metrical foot.
A poem in iambic measure
Measure
(music) A musical designation consisting of all notes and or rests delineated by two vertical bars; an equal and regular division of the whole of a composition; a bar.
Measure
A course of action.
Measure
(in plural) Actions designed to achieve some purpose; plans.
Measure
A piece of legislation.
Measure
To ascertain the quantity of a unit of material via calculated comparison with respect to a standard.
We measured the temperature with a thermometer.
You should measure the angle with a spirit level.
Measure
(stative) To be of (a certain size), to have (a certain measurement)
The window measured two square feet.
Measure
To estimate the unit size of something.
I measure that at 10 centimetres.
Measure
To judge, value, or appraise.
Measure
To obtain or set apart; to mark in even increments.
Measure
(rare) To traverse, cross, pass along; to travel over.
Measure
To adjust by a rule or standard.
Measure
To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; often with out or off.
Measure
A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.
Measure
An instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like.
False ells and measures be brought all clean adown.
Measure
The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat.
The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
Measure
The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount.
It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal.
Measure
Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure; with measure; without or beyond measure.
Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure.
Measure
Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due proportion.
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days.
Measure
The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full measure.
Measure
Undefined quantity; extent; degree.
There is a great measure of discretion to be used in the performance of confession.
Measure
Regulated division of movement
Measure
A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of two or more numbers; a denominator. See common denominator under denominator.
Measure
A step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure.
His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his error.
Measure
The act of measuring; measurement.
Measure
Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead measures.
Say to her, we have measured many milesTo tread a measure with her on this grass.
Measure
To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to appraise.
Great are thy works, Jehovah, infiniteThy power! what thought can measure thee?
Measure
To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature.
Measure
To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance.
A true devoted pilgrim is not wearyTo measure kingdoms with his feeble steps.
Measure
To adjust by a rule or standard.
To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires.
Measure
To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; - often with out or off.
With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
That portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun.
Measure
To make a measurement or measurements.
Measure
To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally.
Measure
To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.
Measure
The act or process of measuring;
The measurements were carefully done
His mental measurings proved remarkably accurate
Measure
A basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated;
They set the measure for all subsequent work
Measure
How much there is of something that you can quantify
Measure
Any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal;
The situation called for strong measures
The police took steps to reduce crime
Measure
A statute in draft before it becomes law;
They held a public hearing on the bill
Measure
(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
Measure
Musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats;
The orchestra omitted the last twelve bars of the song
Measure
Measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements
Measure
Determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of;
Measure the length of the wall
Measure
Express as a number or measure or quantity;
Can you quantify your results?
Measure
Have certain dimensions;
This table surfaces measures 20inches by 36 inches
Measure
Place a value on; judge the worth of something;
I will have the family jewels appraised by a professional
Common Curiosities
Can the term measure have non-quantitative meanings?
Yes, measure can also imply a plan, course of action, or a legislative proposal, beyond just quantification.
Is a ruler a measure or a measurement?
A ruler is a measure, a tool used for measuring. The result obtained using a ruler is a measurement.
What is a measure?
A measure is a standard used for comparison or a tool for assessing quantity or degree.
What does measurement mean?
Measurement refers to the act or process of using a standard to determine the size, length, or amount of something.
How do measures help in daily life?
Measures provide standards like inches or meters that help quantify and compare objects, facilitating activities like cooking, construction, and shopping.
How is measurement used in cooking?
Measurement in cooking involves quantifying ingredients using cups, teaspoons, etc., to ensure consistency and desired outcomes.
Can measurement errors affect outcomes?
Yes, measurement errors can lead to inaccurate results, affecting scientific research, construction quality, and more.
How are measure and measurement different?
Measure refers to the standard or system itself, while measurement is the application of this standard to quantify something.
What is an example of a measurement?
Determining the height of a person using a tape measure is an example of a measurement.
How does digital technology impact measurement?
Digital technology provides more precise and easy-to-use tools for measurement, enhancing accuracy in various fields.
What role does measurement play in science?
Measurement is fundamental in science for conducting experiments, gathering data, and validating theories.
Can measures vary between cultures or regions?
Yes, measures like units for length, volume, and weight can vary, such as the use of miles versus kilometers.
What is a legislative measure?
A legislative measure is a proposal or bill considered by a legislative body for decision-making.
What measures are used in weather forecasting?
Measures such as degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit for temperature, and meters or feet for altitude, are used in weather forecasting.
What is the importance of accurate measurement in construction?
Accurate measurement ensures structural integrity, proper fit of components, and overall safety in construction projects.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
