Measure means to find out the size, amount, or degree of something using a standard unit or tool. When you measure your height with a ruler, you're comparing yourself to feet and inches. When you measure flour for a recipe, you use cups or grams to get exactly the right amount. Scientists measure temperature with thermometers, time with clocks, and distance with tape measures or laser devices.

The word can also mean a deliberate action taken to achieve a goal. A school might take measures to improve safety, like adding crossing guards and better lighting. A doctor might recommend preventive measures to avoid getting sick, such as washing your hands regularly. In this sense, measures are steps you plan and carry out.

In music, a measure is a segment of time containing a specific number of beats, marked off by vertical lines on sheet music. Musicians count measures to keep track of where they are in a song.

The phrase “beyond measure” means too much to quantify, something immeasurable or limitless. A parent's love might be beyond measure. When we say someone “measures up,” we mean they meet a standard or expectation, like measuring up to a challenge.