gauge Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.
    gage.
  2. noun accepted or approved instance or example of a quantity or quality against which others are judged or measured or compared
    standard of measurement.
  3. noun the distance between the rails of a railway or between the wheels of a train
  4. noun the thickness of wire
  5. noun diameter of a tube or gun barrel
    bore; caliber; calibre.
  6. verb judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
    judge; estimate; guess; approximate.
    • I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds
  7. verb rub to a uniform size
    • gauge bricks
  8. verb determine the capacity, volume, or contents of by measurement and calculation
    • gauge the wine barrels
  9. verb measure precisely and against a standard
    • the wire is gauged
  10. verb adapt to a specified measurement
    • gauge the instruments
  11. verb mix in specific proportions
    • gauge plaster

WordNet

Gauge transitive verb
Etymology
OF. gaugier, F. jauger, cf. OF. gauge gauge, measuring rod, F. jauge; of uncertain origin; perh. fr. an assumed L. qualificare to determine the qualities of a thing (see Qualify); but cf. also F. jalon a measuring stake in surveying, and E. gallon.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Gauged ; present participle & verbal noun Gauging
Definitions
  1. To measure or determine with a gauge.
  2. To measure or to ascertain the contents or the capacity of, as of a pipe, barrel, or keg.
  3. (Mech.) To measure the dimensions of, or to test the accuracy of the form of, as of a part of a gunlock.
    The vanes nicely gauged on each side. Derham.
  4. To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread through it, as cloth or a garment.
  5. To measure the capacity, character, or ability of; to estimate; to judge of.
    You shall not gauge me By what we do to-night. Shak.
Gauge noun
Etymology
Written also gage.
Definitions
  1. A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard.
    This plate must be a gauge to file your worm and groove to equal breadth by. Moxon.
    There is not in our hands any fixed gauge of minds. I. Taylor.
  2. Measure; dimensions; estimate.
    The gauge and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt. Burke.
  3. (Mach. & Manuf.) Any instrument for ascertaining or regulating the dimensions or forms of things; a templet or template; as, a button maker's gauge.
  4. (Physics) Any instrument or apparatus for measuring the state of a phenomenon, or for ascertaining its numerical elements at any moment; -- usually applied to some particular instrument; as, a rain gauge; a steam gauge.
  5. (Naut.) (a) Relative positions of two or more vessels with reference to the wind; as, a vessel has the weather gauge of another when on the windward side of it, and the lee gauge when on the lee side of it. (b) The depth to which a vessel sinks in the water. Totten.
  6. The distance between the rails of a railway. ✍ The standard gauge of railroads in most countries is four feet, eight and one half inches. Wide, or broad, gauge, in the United States, is six feet; in England, seven feet, and generally any gauge exceeding standard gauge. Any gauge less than standard gauge is now called narrow gauge. It varies from two feet to three feet six inches.
  7. (Plastering) The quantity of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to accelerate its setting.
  8. (Building) That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of such shingles, slates, or tiles.

Webster 1913