standard

Everyday

1. A standard is a level of quality, how good something is or should be: «a high standard». tree →
2. Standards are rules or ideas about what is right and acceptable behaviour. tree →
3. Standard (adjective) means normal, usual, the ordinary kind: «a standard size». tree →
4. A standard is a measurement or unit that everyone agrees to use, like the metre. tree →
5. A standard is a flag carried on a pole, often by soldiers long ago. tree →

In the lessons

In school, teachers keep «high standards» for work and behaviour; tests check whether pupils «meet the standard». In maths and science «standard units» (metres, kilograms, litres) let everyone measure the same way, instead of hands or feet. «Standard form» is a way of writing numbers. In everyday life «standard» means the usual model, not special. Phrases: «up to standard», «meet the standard», «standard size», «living standards», «double standard».

Examples

• Your handwriting is up to a high standard. tree →
• The school expects good standards of behaviour. tree →
• This is a standard size of paper. tree →
• We use standard units like metres to measure. tree →
• His work was not up to standard, so he did it again. tree →
• The car comes with standard seats. tree →
• The knight carried the king's standard into battle. tree →
• It's a double standard to tell us to be quiet when you shout. tree →
• Unless he adopt a better standard of justice we will go on with our destruction." tree →

Note

Countable: a standard, standards. Spelling: ends in -ard, not -art. In maths, «standard units» are agreed units (cm, kg, L), while «non-standard units» are things like paper clips or hand spans. «Standard» as an adjective has no -er/-est forms.

In Jewish tradition

It means a flag or banner that marks each tribe's camp. Each tribe camped under its own standard around the Tabernacle. In the Prophets and Psalms a standard is a banner raised as a signal for war or warning, or as a sign of victory in God's name.

Interpretation. Tradition says each tribe's banner bore its own color and sign. The orderly camps show that Israel was organized around God's presence at the center. Jeremiah's raised standard is read as a warning that danger is coming from the north.

Examples

• And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their hosts; and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur. (Torah NUM.10.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man with his own camp, and every man with his own standard, according to their hosts. (Torah NUM.1.52, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their hosts; and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. (Torah NUM.10.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• How long shall I see the standard, shall I hear the sound of the horn? (Prophets JER.4.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• Set up a standard toward Zion; put yourselves under covert, stay not; for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. (Prophets JER.4.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• We will shout for joy in thy victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our standards; the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. (Writings PSA.20.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a standard, standards. Spelling: ends in -ard, not -art. In maths, «standard units» are agreed units (cm, kg, L), while «non-standard units» are things like paper clips or hand spans. «Standard» as an adjective has no -er/-est forms.