n.
Pronunciation: ' yärd- ˌ stik
Function: noun
Date: 1610
1 a : a graduated measuring stick three feet (0.9144 meter) long b : a standard basis of calculation <a yardstick for measuring astronomical distances>
2 : a standard for making a critical judgment : CRITERION <measured by the yardstick of her first book> <was a great success by any yardstick >
synonyms see STANDARD