standard Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
    measure; criterion; touchstone.
    • the schools comply with federal standards
    • they set the measure for all subsequent work
  2. noun the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
    criterion.
    • they live by the standards of their community
  3. noun a board measure = 1980 board feet
  4. noun the value behind the money in a monetary system
    monetary standard.
  5. noun an upright pole or beam (especially one used as a support)
    • distance was marked by standards every mile
    • lamps supported on standards provided illumination
  6. noun any distinctive flag
    banner.
  7. adjective conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind
    • windows of standard width
    • standard sizes
    • the standard fixtures
    • standard brands
    • standard operating procedure
  8. adjective satellite commonly used or supplied
    • standard procedure
    • standard car equipment
  9. adjective established or well-known or widely recognized as a model of authority or excellence
    • a standard reference work
    • the classical argument between free trade and protectionism
  10. adjective conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
    received.
    • standard English" (American)
    • received standard English is sometimes called the King's English" (British)
  11. adjective satellite regularly and widely used or sold
    stock.
    • a standard size
    • a stock item

WordNet

Stand"ard noun
Etymology
OF. estendart, F. étendard, probably fr. L. extendere to spread out, extend, but influenced by E. stand. See Extend.
Definitions
  1. A flag; colors; a banner; especially, a national or other ensign.
    His armies, in the following day, On those fair plains their standards proud display. Fairfax.
  2. That which is established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, extent, value, or quality; esp., the original specimen weight or measure sanctioned by government, as the standard pound, gallon, or yard.
  3. That which is established as a rule or model by authority, custom, or general consent; criterion; test.
    The court, which used to be the standard of property and correctness of speech. Swift.
    A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman. Burke.
  4. (Coinage) The proportion of weights of fine metal and alloy established by authority.
    By the present standard of the coinage, sixty-two shillings is coined out of one pound weight of silver. Arbuthnot.
  5. (Hort.) A tree of natural size supported by its own stem, and not dwarfed by grafting on the stock of a smaller species nor trained upon a wall or trellis.
    In France part of their gardens is laid out for flowers, others for fruits; some standards, some against walls. Sir W. Temple.
  6. (Bot.) The upper petal or banner of a papilionaceous corolla.
  7. (Mech. & Carp.) An upright support, as one of the poles of a scaffold; any upright in framing.
  8. (Shipbuilding) An inverted knee timber placed upon the deck instead of beneath it, with its vertical branch turned upward from that which lies horizontally.
  9. The sheth of a plow.
  10. A large drinking cup. Greene.
Stand"ard adjective
Definitions
  1. Being, affording, or according with, a standard for comparison and judgment; as, standard time; standard weights and measures; a standard authority as to nautical terms; standard gold or silver.
  2. Hence: Having a recognized and permanent value; as, standard works in history; standard authors.
  3. (Hort.) (a) Not supported by, or fastened to, a wall; as, standard fruit trees. (b) Not of the dwarf kind; as, a standard pear tree.

Webster 1913