yardstick

Plural: yardsticks

Noun

• a measure or standard used for comparison
  • "on what kind of yardstick is he basing his judgment?"
• a ruler or tape that is three feet long
• A measuring rod thirty-six inches (one yard) long.
• A standard to which other measurements or comparisons are judged.

Synonyms

yard measure, benchmark, ideal, measuring rod, metewand, norm, point of reference

Related Words

metre stick