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standard

n. · adj. · interj.
US //ˈstændɝd// UK //stˈændəd// stan·dard
  1. 1 level of quality (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a level of quality or achievement that is considered acceptable or desirable.

    a required or agreed level of quality or attainment used as a benchmark for evaluation.

    Example

    The hotel's service did not meet the high standards we expected for the price.

    Example

    The regulatory body is responsible for ensuring that all medical facilities maintain a rigorous standard of patient care and hygiene.
  2. 2 unit of measurement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an official rule or object used to measure how long, heavy, or valuable something is.

    an object or rule that is used as a basis for a system of weights, measures, or currency.

    Example

    The meter is the international standard for measuring length in science.

    Example

    Historically, the gold standard allowed citizens to exchange paper currency for a specific amount of precious metal.
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  1. 3 a flag or pole (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a large flag or a tall pole used to carry a flag during ceremonies.

    a flag, banner, or ensign, especially one used in a formal or military context to represent a leader or nation.

    Example

    The royal standard was raised above the palace to show the Queen was home.

    Example

    The cavalry advanced with their standards held high, the silk banners fluttering visibly even through the thick smoke of the battlefield.
  2. 4 normal or basic (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    usual or ordinary; not having any special or extra features.

    conforming to a fixed or general pattern; provided as a regular feature rather than an optional extra.

    Example

    Air conditioning is a standard feature in most new cars these days.

    Example

    The standard procedure for processing applications requires a minimum of ten working days, regardless of the applicant's urgency.
  3. 5 accepted language (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Linguistics

    the form of a language that most people consider 'correct' and is used in schools and news.

    denoting the variety of a language used by the educated and in formal contexts, often serving as a prestige norm.

    Example

    Students are expected to write their essays in standard English.

    Example

    While the local dialect is used in casual conversation, standard Italian is the primary medium for national broadcasting and legal documentation.
  4. 6 agreement (interj.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Slang

    a way to say 'of course' or 'I agree' when something is exactly what you expected.

    used as an exclamation to express agreement or to confirm that a situation is typical or expected.

    Example

    Are you coming to the party tonight? Standard.

    Example

    When asked if he was going to be late again, he just shrugged and said, 'Standard,' acknowledging his own reputation for tardiness.
Origin

From Middle English standard, from Old French estandart (“gathering place, battle flag”), from Frankish standahard (literally “stand firm, stand hard”), equivalent to stand + -ard. An alternative etymology derives the second element from Frankish oʀd (“point, spot, place”) (compare Old French ordé (“pointed”), Old English ord (“point, source, vanguard”), German Standort (“location, place, site, position, base”, literally “standing-point”)). Merged with Middle English standar, stander, standere (“flag, banner”, literally “stander”), equivalent to stand + -er. More at stand, hard, ord. As a hill-naming term possibly a calque from Cumbric; equivalent to Welsh lluman (“standard”), arising with confusion with the hill-naming element llumon (“chimney”).

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