measurable

1 of 2

adjective

mea·​sur·​able ˈme-zhə-rə-bəl How to pronounce measurable (audio)
ˈmā-;
ˈmezh-rə-,
ˈmāzh-
1
: capable of being measured : able to be described in specific terms (as of size, amount, duration, or mass) usually expressed as a quantity
Science is the study of facts—things that are measurable, testable, repeatable, verifiable.David Gerrold
specifically : large or small enough to be measured
Nutmeg has a bitter taste, so cats are unlikely to consume any measurable amount. Elaine Wexler-Mitchell
A Becquerel is the smallest measurable unit of radioactivity. Neco Cockburn
Its scope was no longer a measurable form. It was beyond wealth, beyond power. Ernie Colon and A. J. Gamble
2
: great enough to be noticeable or worth considering : significant
Another terrible opinion poll confirming all the other terrible polls seemed to add no measurable sense of panic to the Labor mood.Geoff Kitney
"… He possesses no measurable talent, his arrogance rivals even that of his father, and he seems to relish in his fame …"Steve Kloves
measurability
ˌme-zhə-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce measurable (audio)
ˌmā-;
ˌmezh-rə-
ˌmāzh-
noun
measurably
ˈme-zhə-rə-blē How to pronounce measurable (audio)
ˈmā-;
ˈmezh-rə-
ˈmāzh-
adverb

measurable

2 of 2

noun

plural measurables
: something that may be measured
especially : a measurable physical attribute (such as height or weight) or ability (such as speed or jumping height) of an athlete
often used in plural
The measurables are pouring in from the NFL scouting combine, where the inspection of the young and the strong goes way beyond the old turn-your-head-and-cough physical. Steve Hummer
His measurables were almost off the charts at the NBA draft combine in Chicago: 7-foot-1, with a 36½-inch running vertical jump, the highest for a 7-footer in combine history. Jeff McDonald

Examples of measurable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Some areas have experienced 40 days without measurable rain. Evan Bush, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024 What’s more, doing so resulted in no measurable change in fruit size or total quantity. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
The advent of these psilocybin cups—following in the footsteps of cannabis cups, which rate potency, smell, taste, and all sorts of other measurables—is, however, rewarding the victors of the race to create or procure unprecedentedly potent mushrooms. Mattha Busby, WIRED, 10 Oct. 2024 The Changing Markets Foundation has offered a slew of recommendations, chief of which is setting measurable and time-bound targets to slash the use of synthetics: 20 percent (against a 2021 baseline) by 2025 and 50 percent by 2030. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 See all Example Sentences for measurable 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English mesurable "that can be measured, middling, discreet, moderate," borrowed from Anglo-French, "that can be measured, finite, moderate, restrained," borrowed from Late Latin mensūrābilis "that can be measured" (Medieval Latin, "moderate, reasonable"), from mensūrāre "to measure entry 2" + Latin -bilis "capable (of acting), worthy (of being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

Adjective

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of measurable was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near measurable

Cite this Entry

“Measurable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/measurable. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

measurable

adjective
mea·​sur·​able
ˈmezh-(ə-)rə-bəl,
ˈmāzh-
: capable of being measured
measurably
-blē
adverb

Medical Definition

measurable

adjective
mea·​sur·​able ˈmezh-(ə-)rə-bəl, ˈmāzh- How to pronounce measurable (audio)
: capable of being measured
such measurable factors as the amount of nitrogen in air
specifically : large or small enough to be measured
found in measurable amounts
measurable radiation
measurably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on measurable

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