Yardstick

Origin

yard + stick

Full definition of yardstick

Noun

1. A measuring rod thirty-six inches long.
2. (figuratively) A standard to which other measurements or comparisons are judged.
• 2008 April 8, Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt, “Attacks in Baghdad spiked in March, U.S. data show”, in , 2008 April 8 edition, “Africa & Middle East” section,Attacks against civilians in the capital remained relatively unchanged: 69 in March from 62 in February. ¶ However, another yardstick, the number of civilian deaths tracked by the Iraqi government, shot up last month after several months of decline.

Derived terms

• Portsmouth yardstick