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¹gauge

noun \ˈgāj\

: an instrument that is used for measuring something

: something that can be used to measure or judge something else

: the distance between the rails of a railroad

Full Definition of GAUGE

a : a measurement (as of linear dimension) according to some standard or system: as (1) : the distance between the rails of a railroad (2) : the size of a shotgun barrel's inner diameter nominally expressed as the number of lead balls each just fitting that diameter required to make a pound <a 12-gauge shotgun> (3) : the thickness of a thin material (as sheet metal or plastic film) (4) : the diameter of a slender object (as wire or a hypodermic needle) (5) : the fineness of a knitted fabric expressed by the number of loops per unit width

b : dimensions, size

c : measure 1 <surveys are a gauge of public sentiment>

: an instrument for or a means of measuring or testing: as

a : an instrument for measuring a dimension or for testing mechanical accuracy

b : an instrument with a graduated scale or dial for measuring or indicating quantity

: relative position of a ship with reference to another ship and the wind

: a function introduced into a field equation to produce a convenient form of the equation but having no observable physical consequences

See gauge defined for English-language learners

See gauge defined for kids

Variants of GAUGE

gauge also gage \ˈgāj\

Examples of GAUGE

The broadest gauge of the economy—the gross domestic product, adjusted for inflation—has risen little more than 4% since the recovery began. —Alfred L. Malabre, Jr., Wall Street Journal, 26 July 1993

Origin of GAUGE

Middle English gauge, from Anglo-French

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonym Discussion of GAUGE

standard, criterion, gauge, yardstick, touchstone mean a means of determining what a thing should be. standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority <standards of behavior>. criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not <questioned the critic's criteria for excellence>. gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect <polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction>. yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality <housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth>. touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible <fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant>.

Other Railroad Terms

cowcatcher, cupola, vestibule, yard

Rhymes with GAUGE

age, cage, gage, Gage, mage, page, rage, sage, stage, swage, wage

²gauge

verb \ˈgāj\

: to make a judgment about (something)

: to measure (something) exactly

gauged also gagedgaug·ing also gag·ing

Full Definition of GAUGE

transitive verb

a : to measure precisely the size, dimensions, or other measurable quantity of

b : to determine the capacity or contents of

c : estimate, judge <hard to gauge his moods>

a : to check for conformity to specifications or limits

b : to measure off or set out

See gauge defined for English-language learners

Variants of GAUGE

gauge also gage \ˈgāj\

Examples of GAUGE

Through history, the powers of single black men flash here and there like falling stars, and die sometimes before the world has rightly gauged their brightness. —W. E. B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk, 1903
On the other hand, no one supposes that the intellect of any two animals or of any two men can be accurately gauged by the cubic contents of their skulls. —Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, 1871
Incommunicative as he was, some time elapsed before I had an opportunity of gauging his mind. I first got an idea of its calibre when I heard him preach in his own church at Morton. —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847
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Origin of GAUGE

(see ¹gauge)

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to GAUGE

Synonyms: calculate, call, conjecture, figure, estimate (also gage), guess, judge, make, place, put, reckon, suppose

GAUGE Defined for Kids

¹gauge

noun \ˈgāj\

Definition of GAUGE for Kids

: a measurement (as the distance between the rails of a railroad or the size of a shotgun barrel's inner diameter) according to some standard <a standard gauge railway>

: an instrument for measuring, testing, or registering <a rain gauge> <a steam gauge>