I. ˈstan-dərd noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estandard banner, standard, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English standan to stand and probably to Old High German hart hard
Date: 12th century
1. : a conspicuous object (as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an emblem
2.
a. : a long narrow tapering flag that is personal to an individual or corporation and bears heraldic devices
b. : the personal flag of the head of a state or of a member of a royal family
c. : an organization flag carried by a mounted or motorized military unit
d. : banner 1
3. : something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example : criterion
quite slow by today's standard s
4. : something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality
5.
a. : the fineness and legally fixed weight of the metal used in coins
b. : the basis of value in a monetary system
the gold standard
6. : a structure built for or serving as a base or support
7.
a. : a shrub or herb grown with an erect main stem so that it forms or resembles a tree
b. : a fruit tree grafted on a stock that does not induce dwarfing
8.
a. : the large odd upper petal of a papilionaceous flower (as of the pea)
b. : one of the three inner usually erect and incurved petals of an iris
9. : a musical composition (as a song) that has become a part of the standard repertoire
• stan·dard·less adjective
Synonyms:
standard , criterion , gauge , yardstick , touchstone mean a means of determining what a thing should be. standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority
standards of behavior
criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not
questioned the critic's criteria for excellence
gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect
polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction
yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality
housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth
touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible
fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant
II. adjective
Date: 1567
1.
a. : constituting or conforming to a standard especially as established by law or custom
standard weight
b. : sound and usable but not of top quality
standard beef
2.
a. : regularly and widely used, available, or supplied
standard automobile equipment
b. : well-established and very familiar
the standard opera
3. : having recognized and permanent value
a standard reference work
4. : substantially uniform and well established by usage in the speech and writing of the educated and widely recognized as acceptable
standard pronunciation is subject to regional variations
• stan·dard·ly adverb