yardstick

US /ˈjɑːrd.stɪk/
UK /ˈjɑːrd.stɪk/
"yardstick" picture
1.

a measuring rod one yard long, typically divided into inches or centimeters

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He used a yardstick to measure the fabric.
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The carpenter marked the wood with a yardstick.
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measuring stickmeter stickrule
2.

a standard used for comparison or judgment

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Profitability is the main yardstick for success in business.
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His performance set a new yardstick for others to follow.
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benchmarkcriterionstandardmeasuregauge