Etymologically
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measurement

Etymology and origin of the English word measurement

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1590
Ultimate origin
English (measure)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈmɛʒ.ə.mənt/ (UK); /ˈmɛʒ.ɚ.mənt/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is from the verb measure with the suffix -ment.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Merriam-Webster dates the first known use to 1590;[4] the SOED has an obsolete sense, admeasurement, in the early 17th century.[3] The act of measuring is from 1718 in Etymonline and 1751 in the OED.[2][5]

Semantic evolution

A dimension found by measuring is from 1748 in Etymonline and 1756 in the OED,[2][5] and measurements in the plural followed.[2] A system of measures is from 1867.[5] Measurement goods, on which freight is charged by size, are from 1858.[5]

Timeline

  • 1590 – first known use.[4]
  • 1718 – the act of measuring.[2]
  • 1748 – a dimension.[2]
  • 1858 – measurement goods.[5]
  • 1867 – a system of measures.[5]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. The act or process of measuring.
  2. A size, amount or extent found by measuring.
  3. A system of measuring.

Word family

  • mismeasurement
  • premeasurement
  • remeasurement
  • measurement ton

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Measurement.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/measurement. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·