stan·dard
ˈstan-dərd 
1
: a conspicuous object (such as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an emblem
2
a
: a long narrow tapering flag that is personal to an individual or corporation and bears heraldic devices
b
: the personal flag of the head of a state or of a member of a royal family
c
: an organization flag carried by a mounted or motorized military unit
d
3
: something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example : criterion
quite slow by today's standards
4
: something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality
5
a
: the fineness and legally fixed weight of the metal used in coins
b
: the basis of value in a monetary system
the gold standard
6
: a structure built for or serving as a base or support
7
a
: a shrub or herb grown with an erect main stem so that it forms or resembles a tree
b
: a fruit tree grafted on a stock that does not induce dwarfing
8
or standard petal
a
: the upper, large, often lobed petal of a papilionaceous flower (as of a pea or bean plant) : banner sense 6, vexillum sense 3 compare keel entry 2 sense 2b, wing entry 1 sense 2e(2)
b
: one of the three inner usually erect and incurved petals of an iris compare fall entry 2 sense 3f
9
: a musical composition (such as a song) that has become a part of the standard repertoire
10
: a vehicle with a manual transmission : manual
Her new car is a standard.
standardless
adjective
1
a
: constituting or conforming to a standard especially as established by law or custom
standard weight
b
: sound and usable but not of top quality
standard beef
2
a
: regularly and widely used, available, or supplied
standard automobile equipment
b
: well-established and very familiar
the standard opera
3
: having recognized and permanent value
a standard reference work
4
: substantially uniform and well established by usage in the speech and writing of the educated and widely recognized as acceptable
standard pronunciation is subject to regional variations
standardly
adverb
Synonyms
Noun
Adjective
Examples of standard in a Sentence
Noun
By modern standards, the house is just too small.
This book is the standard by which all others must be judged.
Adjective
a window of standard width
The movie was a pretty standard romantic comedy.
The word is considered standard.
Recent Examples on the Web
C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Ghostface Killah and Raekwon wearing head-to-toe baggy Tommy Hilfiger, that was the standard.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Eleven states already have regulatory standards for PFAS in drinking water.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
While most gentlemen sported the local casual cocktail party standard of dark suits, tees and trainers, others flaunted colorful tailored suits, albeit with T-shirts and trainers.
—Merle Ginsberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
For many clients an important differentiating factor between a CFP and most other financial advisers is that CFPs are required to uphold a fiduciary standard.
—Jordan Priddy, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
If those samples show that levels of PFAS exceed the new E.P.A. standards, the utilities would have another two years to purchase and install equipment designed to filter out PFAS.
—Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
But until now, there was no federal standard on the chemicals in drinking water.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency announced new drinking water standards Wednesday to limit exposure to a class of chemicals called PFAS.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024
Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
The Airwrap includes a detangling comb, filter cleaning brush and six standard attachments: the Coanda smoothing dryer, 1.2- and 1.6-inch long barrels, firm and smoothing brushes and a round volumizing brush.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
In the wake of Air and Daft Punk — the latter of which wrapped its groundbreaking Alive tour in 2007 — Justice almost assumed such success was standard for a French electronic act.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 11 Apr. 2024
Robes, coffeemakers, welcome waters, and mini-fridges come standard with upgrades snagging extras like balconies, upgraded views, or an oceanfront location.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
That’s a significant difference from Roku’s more affordable Select and Plus series, which use standard LED panels.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024
This is a standard practice, but just to hold this arbitrary amount of money?
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
Sleek in its design, the Casper Snow mattress has a standard 12-inch profile with a simple heather gray and turquoise color block at its foot.
—Dan Koday, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Apr. 2024
Noun
The girls learn a little bit of everything – ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, classical, tap, West African - and must adhere to Young-Byron’s high standards, which include completion of an intense, 8-week summer conditioning course, staying out of trouble and maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Ghostface Killah and Raekwon wearing head-to-toe baggy Tommy Hilfiger, that was the standard.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Eleven states already have regulatory standards for PFAS in drinking water.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
While most gentlemen sported the local casual cocktail party standard of dark suits, tees and trainers, others flaunted colorful tailored suits, albeit with T-shirts and trainers.
—Merle Ginsberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
For many clients an important differentiating factor between a CFP and most other financial advisers is that CFPs are required to uphold a fiduciary standard.
—Jordan Priddy, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
If those samples show that levels of PFAS exceed the new E.P.A. standards, the utilities would have another two years to purchase and install equipment designed to filter out PFAS.
—Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
But until now, there was no federal standard on the chemicals in drinking water.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency announced new drinking water standards Wednesday to limit exposure to a class of chemicals called PFAS.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024
Adjective
But many people pour much more than a standard drink, which is 12 ounces of a regular beer, 4 ounces of regular wine or 1 ½ ounces of liquor.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
The Airwrap includes a detangling comb, filter cleaning brush and six standard attachments: the Coanda smoothing dryer, 1.2- and 1.6-inch long barrels, firm and smoothing brushes and a round volumizing brush.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
In the wake of Air and Daft Punk — the latter of which wrapped its groundbreaking Alive tour in 2007 — Justice almost assumed such success was standard for a French electronic act.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 11 Apr. 2024
Robes, coffeemakers, welcome waters, and mini-fridges come standard with upgrades snagging extras like balconies, upgraded views, or an oceanfront location.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
That’s a significant difference from Roku’s more affordable Select and Plus series, which use standard LED panels.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024
This is a standard practice, but just to hold this arbitrary amount of money?
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
Sleek in its design, the Casper Snow mattress has a standard 12-inch profile with a simple heather gray and turquoise color block at its foot.
—Dan Koday, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'standard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to standard
Dictionary Entries Near standard
Cite this Entry
“Standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standard. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
standard
1 of 2 noun
stan·dard
ˈstan-dərd
1
a
: a figure used as an emblem by an organized body of people
the eagle was the Roman legion's standard
b
: the personal flag of the ruler of a state
2
a
: something set up by authority or by general consent as a rule for measuring or as a model
a standard of weight
standards of good manners
b
: the basis of value in a monetary system
the gold standard
3
: a structure that serves as a support
a lamp standard
standard
2 of 2 adjective1
: used as or meeting a standard established by law or custom
standard weight
2
: regularly and widely used
standard practice in the trade
3
: having recognized and permanent value
standard reference works
4
: well established by usage in the speech or writing of the educated and widely recognized as acceptable
standard spelling
Medical Definition
standard
1 of 2 noun
stan·dard
ˈstan-dərd
: something set up or established by an authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality
standard
2 of 2 adjective
: constituting or conforming to a standard especially as established by law or custom
standard weight
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