Definition of 'standard'

Word Frequency

standard

(stændəʳd )

Word forms: plural standards

1. countable noun

A standard is a level of quality or achievement, especially a level that is thought to be acceptable.

The standard of professional cricket has never been lower.

There will be new national standards for hospital cleanliness.

Synonyms: level, grade, calibre, quality More Synonyms of standard

2. countable noun

A standard is something that you use in order to judge the quality of something else.

...systems that were by later standards absurdly primitive.

Synonyms: criterion, measure, guideline, example More Synonyms of standard

3. plural noun

Standards are moral principles which affect people's attitudes and behaviour.

My father has always had high moral standards.

Synonyms: principles, ideals, morals, rule More Synonyms of standard

4. See also double standard

5. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

You use standard to describe things which are usual and normal.

It was standard practice for untrained clerks to advise in serious cases such as murder.

No other executive car can offer you the same level of standard equipment at this price.

Synonyms: usual, normal, customary, set More Synonyms of standard

6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

A standard work or text on a particular subject is one that is widely read and often recommended.

More Synonyms of standard

Video: pronunciation of
standard

standard in British English

(ˈstændəd )

noun

an accepted or approved example of something against which others are judged or measured

2. (often plural)

a principle of propriety, honesty, and integrity

she has no standards

a level of excellence or quality

a low standard of living

any distinctive flag, device, etc, as of a nation, sovereign, or special cause

any of a variety of naval or military flags

the colours of a cavalry regiment

a flag or emblem formerly used to show the central or rallying point of an army in battle

a large tapering flag ending in two points, originally borne by a sovereign or high-ranking noble

the commodity or commodities in which is stated the value of a basic monetary unit

the gold standard

an authorized model of a unit of measure or weight

10.

a unit of board measure equal to 1980 board feet

11.

(in coinage) the prescribed proportion by weight of precious metal and base metal that each coin must contain

12.

an upright pole or beam, esp one used as a support

13.

a piece of furniture consisting of an upright pole or beam on a base or support

(as modifier)

a standard lamp

14.

a plant, esp a fruit tree, that is trained so that it has an upright stem free of branches

(as modifier)

a standard cherry

15.

a song or piece of music that has remained popular for many years

16.

the largest petal of a leguminous flower, such as a sweetpea

17.

(in New Zealand and, formerly, in England and Wales) a class or level of attainment in an elementary school

adjective

18.

of the usual, regularized, medium, or accepted kind

a standard size

19.

of recognized authority, competence, or excellence

the standard work on Greece

20.

denoting or characterized by idiom, vocabulary, etc, that is regarded as correct and acceptable by educated native speakers

Compare nonstandard, informal

21. British

(formerly) (of eggs) of a size that is smaller than large and larger than medium

Word origin

C12: from Old French estandart gathering place, flag to mark such a place, probably of Germanic origin; compare Old High German stantan to stand, Old High German ort place

Word Frequency

standard in American English

(ˈstændərd )

noun

any figure or object, esp. a flag or banner, used as an emblem or symbol of a leader, people, military unit, etc.

; specif.,

a. Heraldry

a long, tapering flag used as an ensign, as by a king

b. Military

the colors of a cavalry unit

something established for use as a rule or basis of comparison in measuring or judging capacity, quantity, content, extent, value, quality, etc.

standard of weight and measure

the proportion of pure gold or silver and base metal prescribed for use in coinage

the basis for the measure of value in a given monetary system

Example sentences including
standard

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

What may have been the gold standard a few years ago no longer holds true.With standard artificial limbs people often overload a good leg while standing still.We are low in price but high in standards.They hold high moral standards and raise strong families.We are putting in place a series of measures to raise standards.These opportunities pose new demands for care and attention to maintain standards.Price is per person for two people sharing a standard room.Other worries were language barriers and lower standards of quality in some countries.They are also available in four standard sizes.This was caused by clashes between partners with varying standards of cleanliness.