yardstick

noun

yard·​stick ˈyärd-ˌstik 

1

a

: a graduated measuring stick three feet (0.9144 meter) long

b

: a standard basis of calculation

a yardstick for measuring astronomical distances

2

: a standard for making a critical judgment : criterion

measured by the yardstick of her first book

was a great success by any yardstick

Synonyms

• bar
• barometer
• benchmark
• criterion
• gold standard
• grade
• mark
• measure
• metric
• par
• standard
• touchstone

Choose the Right Synonym for yardstick

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 (such 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

Examples of yardstick in a Sentence

Some feel that test scores aren't an adequate yardstick for judging a student's ability.

Ratings are the yardstick by which TV shows are evaluated by networks.

Recent Examples on the Web

These are yardstick games because the Rams and Chargers can size up their chances against top-shelf competition — and because losing would feel to them like a ruler rapping across the knuckles. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

With this yardstick, Democrats and Republicans will have additional incentives to embrace climate pragmatism and work together on climate issues. —Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

The Commerce Department will release the October look at its personal consumption expenditures price index, the Fed’s primary yardstick to measure the pace of price increases. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2024

Be prepared for stories that get raw, too, like Dawn Richard on how eating well impacts body image, Weyes Blood’s Natalie Mering on solo meals as a yardstick for self-perception, and PUP’s Steve Sladkowski on mourning his grandmother over pierogies in Poland. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

yardstick

noun

yard·​stick -ˌstik 

1

: a measuring stick a yard long

2

: a rule or standard by which something is measured