foot rule

noun

: a stick one foot long for measuring length or distance

carpenter with foot rule, notebook, and pencil

—May Sinclair

broadly : a standard of measurement or judgment

measured with the foot rule of the individual life

—S. A. Coblentz

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!