standard noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of standard noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

standard

noun
 OPAL WOPAL S
 
/ˈstændəd/
 
/ˈstændərd/
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    level of quality

  1.  
     [countable, uncountable] a level of quality, especially one that people think is acceptable
    • There has been a fall in living standards.
    • safety/quality standards
    • Who sets the standard for water quality?
    • A number of Britain's beaches fail to meet European standards on cleanliness.
    • to improve/raise standards
    • He failed to reach the minimum standard and did not qualify.
    • We aim to maintain high standards of customer care.
    • The standard of this year's applications is very low.
    • below (the) standard The quality of the image was below the standard I had hoped for.
    • to a… standard The work was done to a professional standard.
    • Her work is not up to standard (= of a good enough standard).
    see also standard of living, substandard
    Extra Examples
    • He set a new standard of excellence in detective fiction.
    • It's impossible to apply the same academic standards across the country.
    • The directive lays down minimum standards on animal welfare.
    • The beef is inspected and must meet food safety standards.
    • Consumers deserve to know that organic products have been produced according to rigorous organic standards.
    • The product conforms to widely followed industry standards.
    • Attempts are being made to raise standards of patient care.
    • the development of international standards and guidelines for regulating GMOs
    • Players have to be of a certain standard to compete in the tournament.
    • She has reached an acceptable standard of English.
    • The agency has very high standards.
    • The building work had not been completed to a satisfactory standard.
    • The factory is struggling to meet national environmental standards.
    • The hotel service fell short of the usual standard.
    • The product has become an industry standard.
    • The region enjoys the highest living standards in Asia.
    • The work has been done to a professional standard.
    • There has been a drop in the standard of healthcare.
    • There has been an increase in the standard of service provided.
    • We have to try and achieve the quality standards set by the project.
    • We must ensure proper standards of care for the elderly.
    • We need to bring our computer system up to standard.
    • Their products have never slipped below the high standards of design, style or quality that we have come to expect.
    • Your work is below standard.
    • I'm afraid your assignment was below standard.
    • standards in safety
    • There are real concerns about falling standards in schools.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • high
    • low
    • poor
    • …
    verb + standard
    • have
    • boast
    • enjoy
    • …
    preposition
    • above (the) standard
    • below (the) standard
    • according to a/​the standard
    • …
    phrases
    • by any standard
    • by the standards of the day
    • a drop in the standard
    • …
    See full entry
  2.  
     [countable, usually plural] a level of quality that is normal or acceptable for a particular person or in a particular situation
    • You'd better lower your standards if you want to find somewhere cheap to live.
    • by… standards It was a simple meal by Eddie's standards.
    • The equipment is slow and heavy by modern standards.
    • below… standards His latest film is well below his usual standards.
    Extra Examples
    • This sum of money was a fortune by the standards of the day.
    • The houses need to be brought up to modern standards.
    • The army was massive by the standards of the day.
    • These mountains are high by British standards.
    • It was an excellent morning's work by anybody's standards.
    • It wasn't early by her standards.
    • No matter how hard I tried I could never reach their standards.
    • The equipment was slow and heavy by modern standards.
    • The journey was remarkably quick by any standards.
    • He oversees the work personally to make sure it is done according to his standards.
    • This is below the standard of most laptops nowadays.
    • One theory says that women are having to prove themselves above normal standards set for men.
    • The cast is not exactly Broadway standard.
    • By modern standards, he isn't a particularly fast runner.
    • I don't know if it's up to your standards.
    • Judged by any objective standards, the campaign was a disaster.
    • She's a great violinist by any standard.
    • By that standard, no-one would ever be good enough.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • high
    • low
    • poor
    • …
    verb + standard
    • have
    • boast
    • enjoy
    • …
    preposition
    • above (the) standard
    • below (the) standard
    • according to a/​the standard
    • …
    phrases
    • by any standard
    • by the standards of the day
    • a drop in the standard
    • …
    See full entry
    3.

    level of behaviour

  3.  
    standards
    [plural] a level of behaviour that somebody considers to be morally acceptable
    • a man of high moral standards
    • Some people have no standards.
    • The government must uphold basic standards of decency.
    • My grandparents are always complaining about falling standards.
    • the advertising standards watchdog
    see also double standard
    Extra Examples
    • Physicians must be held to high ethical standards.
    • They developed a code of professional standards.
    • It is very serious if a solicitor is shown to have fallen below the required standards of integrity, probity and trustworthiness.
    • Many societies have stricter standards for women's sexual conduct than for men's.
    • His behaviour went beyond acceptable standards of conduct.
    • The ethical standards committee can refuse funding for the research.
    • A report by the parliamentary standards commissioner found he had abused his office.
    • They seem to be completely without standards.
    • There I some things I won't do. I have standards.
    • Standards aren't what they used to be.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • declining
    • falling
    • double
    • …
    verb + standard
    • prescribe
    • keep up
    • maintain
    • …
    standard + verb
    • drop
    • fall
    phrases
    • standards of behaviour/​behavior
    • standards of conduct
    • standard of care
    • …
    See full entry
    4.

    unit of measurement

  4. [countable] a unit of measurement that is officially used; an official rule used when producing something
    • a reduction in the weight standard of silver coins
    • industry standards
    see also gold standard
    Extra Examples
    • The Olympic qualifying standard has been set at 64.50 m.
    • They will adopt common standards for dealing with asylum applications.
    • The bill established new emissions standards for cars sold in the state.
    5.

    flag

  5. [countable] a flag that is used during official ceremonies, especially one connected with a particular military group
    • the royal standard
    6.

    song

  6. [countable] a song that has been recorded by many different singersTopics Musicc2
    7. Word OriginMiddle English (denoting a flag raised on a pole as a rallying point, the authorized exemplar of a unit of measurement, or an upright timber): shortening of Old French estendart, from estendre ‘extend’; in sense (5), influenced by the verb stand.
See standard in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee standard in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: standard

Nearby words

flabbergasted
adjective
 
 
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