yardstick
UK: ˈjɑːd.stɪk | US: ˈjɑːrd.stɪk
n. a standard used for measuring or judging something
n. a literal measuring stick one yard in length
The word "yardstick" combines "yard," derived from Old English geard (meaning "measure" or "enclosure"), and "stick," from Old English sticca (a slender piece of wood). Historically, a yardstick was a physical rod exactly one yard long, used as a measuring tool. Over time, it evolved metaphorically to represent any standard for comparison or evaluation, reflecting its role in providing a fixed reference point.
The new policy will serve as a yardstick for future environmental regulations.
She used a wooden yardstick to measure the fabric.
Customer satisfaction is the yardstick by which we judge our success.
In education, test scores are often treated as a yardstick of student performance.
He compared his progress to the yardstick of industry benchmarks.