ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1.
a. : a measuring stick three feet long usually marked off in feet, inches, and fractions of inches
b. : a standard basis of calculation
these distances were the yardsticks for measuring … extragalactic distances — Adolph Knopf
2. : a test or standard applied in making a critical judgement : criterion , touchstone
development of atomic power by the Government as a yardstick for measuring the costs of private producers — Don Pryor
let the general good be our yardstick on every great issue — D.D.Eisenhower
the level of excellence achieved in the novel … provides an imposing yardstick against which the film repeatedly will be measured — Arthur Knight
Synonyms: see standard