Gauge Meaning
/ˈɡeɪd͡ʒ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard
nounAn act of measuring.
Sentence Examples
The fuel gauge is broken.
Is there an air gauge here?
Since when has the petrol gauge stopped working?
CEFR Practice Quiz
Using a special tool, the scientist tried to ____ the distance to the star.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Use a pressure ____ to check the amount of air in your car's tires once every few weeks for safety.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English gauge, gaugen, from Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French gauger (compare Modern French jauger from Old French jaugier), from gauge (“gauging rod”), from Frankish *galga (“measuring rod, pole”), from Proto-Germanic *galgô (“pole, stake, cross”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰalgʰ-, *ǵʰalg- (“perch, long switch”). Cognate with Old High German galgo, Old Frisian galga, Old English ġealga (“cross-beam, gallows”), Old Norse galgi (“cross-beam, gallows”), Old Norse gelgja (“pole, perch”). Doublet of gallows.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The record of philosophy vis-à-vis silence is generally dismal, as good a gauge as any to its overall failure."
— 2008 Spring/Summer, John Zerzan, “Silence”, in Green Anarchy, number 25:
"It was Locke who concisely won the argument for a standardised gauge of 4ft 8½ inches over Brunel's 7ft 0 ¼in preference. […] Today, over 60% of the world's railways use that gauge."
— 2023 August 23, David E Norris, “Joseph Locke: a railway injustice...”, in RAIL, number 990, page 57:
"I'm talking about cocking a gauge in between your eyes."
— 1992, “A Nigga Witta Gun”, in The Chronic, performed by Dr. Dre, Death Row Records:
"I'm tryin to find ways to cope / But I ain't fuckin' round with the gauge or a rope"
— 1996, “Illusions”, in Cypress Hill III: Temples of Boom, performed by Cypress Hill:
"It happens everyday don't make me grab the gauge / Dangerously I play, I best to kill with the gauge / And put ya body in the back of that grey Chevrolet"
— 2000, “Grab The Gauge”, in Underground Vol. 3: Kings of Memphis, performed by Three 6 Mafia:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Using a special tool, the scientist tried to ____ the distance to the star.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Use a pressure ____ to check the amount of air in your car's tires once every few weeks for safety.