standard

Universal Words noun, adjective noun level of quality 1 [C,U] ~ (of sth) a level of quality, especially one that people think is acceptable: a fall in academic standards * We aim to maintain high standards of customer care. * The standard of this year's applications is very low. * He failed to reach the required standard, and did not qualify for the race. * Her work is not up to standard (= of a good enough standard). * Who sets the standard for water quality? * A number of Britain's beaches fail to meet European standards on cleanliness. * In the shanty towns there are very poor living standards. seealsoSTANDARDOFLIVING 2 [C,usually pl.] 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. * It was a simple meal by Eddie's standards. * The equipment is slow and heavy by modern standards. level of behaviour 3 (standards) [pl.] a level of behaviour that sb considers to be morally acceptable: a man of high moral standards * Standards aren't what they used to be. seealsoDOUBLESTANDARD unit of measurement 4 [C] a unit of measurement that is officially used; an official rule used when producing sth: a reduction in the weight standard of silver coins * industry standards seealsoGOLDSTANDARD flag 5 [C] a flag that is used during official ceremonies, especially one connected with a particular military group: the royal standard song 6 [C] a song that has been recorded by many different singers adjective average / normal 1 average or normal rather than having special or unusual features: A standard letter was sent to all candidates. * Televisions are a standard feature in most hotel rooms. * the standard rate of tax (= paid by everyone) * It is standard practice to search visitors as they enter the building. * All vehicles come with a catalytic converter as standard. * standard issue uniforms (= given to everyone) size / measurement 2 [usuallybeforenoun] following a particular standard set, for example, by an industry: standard sizes of clothes * Washing machines have standard measurements to fit under kitchen units. book / writer 3 [onlybeforenoun] read by most people who are studying a particular subject language 4 [usuallybeforenoun] (of spelling, pronunciation, grammar. etc.) believed to be correct and used by most people: Standard English compareNON-STANDARD, SUB-STANDARD