Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun yardstick

2 senses of yardstick

Sense 1
yardstick -- (a measure or standard used for comparison; "on what kind of yardstick is he basing his judgment?")
       => standard, criterion, measure, touchstone -- (a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated; "the schools comply with federal standards"; "they set the measure for all subsequent work")

Sense 2
yardstick, yard measure -- (a ruler or tape that is three feet long)
       => rule, ruler -- (measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths)