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
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
The volatility in its share price has prompted some analysts to compare Trump Media with meme stocks — companies that trade on social media buzz rather than traditional financial yardsticks such as profitability and revenue growth.
—
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 20 May 2024
The stock market’s venerable yardstick, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, just made history – crossing 40,000 for the first time.
—Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for yardstick 
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 20 May 2024
The stock market’s venerable yardstick, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, just made history – crossing 40,000 for the first time.
—Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for yardstick
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yardstick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near yardstick
Cite this Entry
“Yardstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yardstick. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
yardstick
noun
yard·stick
-ˌstik
1
: a measuring stick a yard long
2
: a rule or standard by which something is measured
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