accepted or approved instance or example of a quantity or quality against which others are judged or measured or compared
"The new engine model serves as a reliable gauge of the factory's latest manufacturing standards."
the distance between the rails of a railway or between the wheels of a train
"The engineer adjusted the wheelbase to ensure it matched the standard gauge of the track."
the thickness of wire
"The technician measured the gauge of the copper wire to ensure it could safely handle the electrical load."
A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard
"The engineer used a precise gauge to check if the pipe's internal diameter met safety standards."
In plain English: A gauge is an instrument used to measure something specific, like pressure or speed.
"The tire pressure gauge showed that my car needed more air before I could go on the trip."
Usage: Use this word as both a noun for a measuring tool and a verb meaning to assess something's strength or depth by observation. Avoid confusing it with "gage," which is an obsolete spelling, though modern usage often accepts them interchangeably in informal contexts.
judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
"I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds"
determine the capacity, volume, or contents of by measurement and calculation
"gauge the wine barrels"
To measure or determine with a gauge; to measure the capacity of.
"The engineer used a specialized tool to gauge the water tank's exact capacity before filling it up."
In plain English: To gauge something means to estimate its size, amount, or strength by looking at it carefully.
"She gauged his reaction to see if he was happy with her gift."
A male given name
"At the school dance, Gauge arrived wearing a bright red jacket and dancing energetically with his friends."
The word gauge comes from the Old Northern French term for a measuring rod. It traveled into English to mean the act of using such an instrument to measure something.