Standards Meaning and Definition
Standards
Pronunciation
/ˈstændərdz/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A set of principles, procedures, or regulations that serve as a basis for evaluation, comparison, or classification of something.
Etymology
The word “standards” comes from the Old French “estandart,” meaning “pennon,” a long, narrow flag or banner, and the Latin “stare,” meaning “to stand.” The term originally referred to a banner or ensign borne by a military commander or a patron saint.
Usage Notes
When referring to standards, it is often used in the plural form, although it can be used in the singular to refer to a single set of standards.
Cultural References
Standards have been referenced in various forms of media, including music, film, and literature. For example, the album “Standards” by Miles Davis is a collection of jazz standards, while the TV show “Standards of Living” explores themes of social and economic standards.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some common idiomatic expressions involving the word “standards” include “to raise the standard,” meaning to set a higher level of quality or performance, and “to lower the standards,” meaning to reduce the level of quality or expectation.
Related Words or Phrases
Words and phrases closely related to “standards” include “norms,” “principles,” “rules,” and “criteria.”
Collocations
Common collocations with the word “standards” include “health standards,” “technical standards,” and “quality standards.”
Frequency of Use
The word “standards” is commonly used in a variety of contexts, including education, business, and government. According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, “standards” appears in approximately 1.35% of all written texts.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the word “standards” include “standard’s,” “standerd’s,” and “standares.”