What is measurement? Pronunciation and usage in English

measurement means . Learn how to pronounce and use measurement through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of measurement

measurementnoun

/ˈmɛʒəm(ə)nt/
Definition & pronunciation of measurement

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "measurement" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

1. The Core Sounds:

  • Measure: This part is relatively straightforward. It sounds like "mee-ZUR" (rhymes with "beer").
  • -ment: This is where it gets tricky. It’s pronounced like "ment" as in "element."

2. Putting it Together – The Most Common Pronunciation:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

“mee-ZUR-ment”

Let’s break that down further:

  • mee: As in “meet”
  • ZUR: Sounds like "Zur" - a short, quick "z" sound followed by a soft "r" (almost like you’re fluttering your lips slightly). Think of it as a weaker "z" than you'd use in "zebra."
  • ment: As in "element," "comment," or "present."

3. A Slightly More Detailed Breakdown (for those who want it!)

Some phoneticians (people who study sounds) would transcribe it as: /ˌmɪˈzɜːrmənt/

  • /ˌmɪ/ – (the “m” sound + the “i” sound - like in “it”) - a dipthong
  • /ˈɜːr/ – (the “z” sound, as mentioned above, followed by a very light “r”)
  • /mənt/ – (the “ment” sound as described above)

4. Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Focus on the "ZUR" part: This is the key to getting the pronunciation right. Don't over-emphasize the "z" – it's a quick, softened sound.

  • Vowel sounds: Make sure your “mee” sound is clear.

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it said correctly. Here are some resources:

    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce measurement" on YouTube or Google. You'll find many audio examples from native speakers.
    • Forvo: Forvo (forvo.com) is a website where you can hear words pronounced by native speakers from different regions. (Search for "measurement").

Resources for Pronunciation:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences you can pronounce with "measurement"?

Usage and examples with the word measurement in English

Let's break down how to use the word "measurement" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings and uses.

1. As a Noun (the core meaning):

  • Definition: A measurement is a quantity that is determined by comparing something to a standard. It's the act of finding out how much of something there is, or how big/small it is.

  • Examples:

    • "The measurement of the room is 10 feet by 12 feet." (Size)
    • "I need to take the measurement of my waist before buying a dress." (Size/Dimension)
    • "Scientists use precise measurements to study the weather." (Quantitative data)
    • "The measurement of the rainfall this month was unusually high." (Amount)
    • "He took a measurement of his blood pressure." (Health)

2. As a Verb (to determine a quantity):

  • Definition: To measure something is to find out its quantity or size using instruments or tools.

  • Examples:

    • "Please measure the fabric before cutting it."
    • "The engineer will measure the structural integrity of the bridge."
    • “The scientist is measuring the growth of the plants.”
    • "I'm going to measure my height to see if I've grown."

3. Related Concepts & Phrases:

  • Units of Measurement: “inches,” “centimeters,” “pounds,” “kilograms,” “degrees Celsius,” “milliliters,” etc. – these are the standards used for making measurements.
  • Accurate Measurement: "The device provided an accurate measurement of the temperature."
  • Inaccurate Measurement: "The ruler gave an inaccurate measurement, so the cut was not straight."
  • Rough Measurement: “A rough measurement estimated the distance to be about 50 miles.” (An approximate measurement)
  • Taking Measurements: "The survey team was taking measurements of the land."

4. Common Collocations (words that often go together):

  • Take a measurement
  • Accurate measurement
  • Precise measurement
  • Gross measurement (total amount)
  • Net measurement (remaining amount)
  • Measurement of... (e.g., "the measurement of the building")

Here’s a table summarizing the uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun A quantity determined by comparison "The measurement of the cake is 9 inches."
Verb To find out a quantity or size "Measure the flour carefully."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you trying to use "measurement" in? (e.g., science, cooking, construction, general conversation?)

Synonyms for the word measurement

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