yardstick

A graduated measuring stick one yard in length.

A test, standard, or model used in measurement, comparison, or judgment.

A stick or rod exactly 3 feet long, generally marked with subdivisions, as quarters and eighths of the yard on the one side, and inches, or perhaps feet and inches, on the other. See yard, n., 3, 4.

Figuratively, a standard of measurement in general.

A stick three feet, or a yard, in length, used as a measure of cloth, etc.

A measuring rod thirty-six inches long.

A standard to which other measurements or comparisons are judged.

a ruler or tape that is three feet long

a measure or standard used for comparison