First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1standard
noun stan·dard \ˈstan-dərd\
: a level of quality, achievement, etc., that is considered acceptable or desirable
standards : ideas about morally correct and acceptable behavior
: something that is very good and that is used to make judgments about the quality of other things
Full Definition of STANDARD
1
: a conspicuous object (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 : banner 1
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
a : the large odd upper petal of a papilionaceous flower (as of the pea) b : one of the three inner usually erect and incurved petals of an iris
9
: a musical composition (as a song) that has become a part of the standard repertoire
— stan·dard·less adjective
See standard defined for English-language learners
See standard defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of STANDARD
Middle English, from Anglo-French estandard banner, standard, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English standan to stand and probably to Old High German hart hard
Related to STANDARD
Synonym Discussion of STANDARD
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 (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>.
2standard
adjective
: regularly and widely used, seen, or accepted : not unusual or special
: generally accepted and used because of high quality or excellence
: accepted and used by most of the educated speakers and writers of a language
Full Definition of STANDARD
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>
— stan·dard·ly adverb
See standard defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of STANDARD
1567
Related to STANDARD
- Synonyms
- average, common, commonplace, cut-and-dried (also cut-and-dry), everyday, garden-variety, normal, prosaic, routine, run-of-the-mill, ordinary, standard-issue, unexceptional, unremarkable, usual, workaday
- Antonyms
- abnormal, exceptional, extraordinary, odd, out-of-the-way, strange, unusual
STANDARD[1] Defined for Kids
1standard
noun stan·dard \ˈstan-dərd\
Definition of STANDARD for Kids
1
: something set up as a rule for measuring or as a model <a standard of weight> <“There have to be standards. We can't have kids walking around saying ‘ain't’ …” — Andrew Clements, Frindle>
2
: the personal flag of the ruler of a state
3
: an upright support <a lamp standard>
4
: a figure used as a symbol by an organized body of people
2standard
adjective
Definition of STANDARD for Kids
1
: used as or matching a model or rule to compare against <standard weight>
2
: regularly and widely used <It's a standard practice in the trade.> <The script is standard … and so are the costumes … — Barbara Robinson, Best Christmas Pageant>
3
: widely known and accepted to be of good and permanent value <The book is a standard reference work on grammar.>
Learn More About STANDARD
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: standard atmospherePrevious Word in the Dictionary: stand–aloneAll Words Near: standard
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up standard? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).