Definition of "gauge" in English

noun

1. A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard

   • 1780, Edmund Burke, speech at The Guildhall, in Bristol the gauge and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt

2. An act of measuring.

3. An estimate.

4. Any instrument for ascertaining or regulating the level, state, dimensions or forms of things

5. A thickness of sheet metal or wire designated by any of several numbering schemes, with lower numbers indicating larger size.

6. (rail transport) Ellipsis of track gauge.

7. (rail transport) Ellipsis of loading gauge.

8. (mathematics, mathematical analysis) A semi-norm; a function that assigns a non-negative size to all vectors in a vector space.

9. (knitting) The number of stitches per inch, centimetre, or other unit of distance.

10. (nautical) Relative positions of two or more vessels with reference to the wind.

    • A vessel has the weather gauge of another when on the windward side of it, and the lee gauge when on the lee side of it.

11. (nautical) The depth to which a vessel sinks in the water.

12. (plastering) The quantity of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to make it set more quickly.

13. That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of such shingles, slates, or tiles.

14. (firearms) A unit of measurement which describes how many spheres of bore diameter of a shotgun can be had from one pound of lead; 12 gauge is roughly equivalent to .75 caliber.

15. (US, slang, by extension) A shotgun (synecdoche for 12 gauge shotgun, the most common chambering for combat and hunting shotguns).

16. A tunnel-like ear piercing consisting of a hollow ring embedded in the lobe.

17. (slang, uncountable) Cannabis.

verb

1. (transitive) To measure or determine with a gauge; to measure the capacity of.

2. (transitive) To estimate.

3. (transitive) To appraise the character or ability of; to judge of.

4. (textile, transitive) To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread through it.

5. (transitive) To mix (a quantity of ordinary plaster) with a quantity of plaster of Paris.

6. (transitive) To chip, hew or polish (stones, bricks, etc) to a standard size and/or shape.