Definition of: standard

(stan′dərd) noun
1. A flag, ensign, or banner, used as a distinctive emblem of a government, body of men, or special cause: the standard of freedom or revolt.
2. A figure or an image adopted as the emblem of a nation.
3. A long, narrow flag carried by mounted and motorized units of the U. S. Army.
4. Any established measure of extent, quantity, quality, or value.
5. Any type, model, or example for comparison; a criterion of excellence; test: a standard of conduct or taste.
6. In coinage, the established proportion by weight of fine metal and alloy.
7. An upright timber, post, pole, or beam, especially as a support.
8. Bot. a Any tree, shrub, bush, or herb not dwarfed by grafting, and growing on a vigorous upright stem without support of a wall or trellis. b The vexillum (def. 2).
9. A heavy or stationary article of furniture. See synonyms under EXAMPLE, IDEAL, RULE.
—National Bureau of Standards A branch of the U. S. Department of Commerce that maintains scientific, technical, and industrial standards, and acts as a research and testing agency for the government.
—adjective
1. Having the accuracy or authority of a standard; serving as a gage, test, or model; hence, of recognized excellence or authority: a standard book or author.
2. Designating or belonging to the form of a language which, through its use in a region of economic and cultural importance, has gained acceptance and social prestige among all the speakers of the language. ♦ In this dictionary, words and meanings not considered to be at the level of the standard language are appropriately labeled colloquial, slang, dialectal, or illiterate. [<OF estandard banner <Gmc.]