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Measurement vocabulary for math class

Measurement vocabulary connects everyday quantities like length and weight to the units used to record them. This list covers terms for the metric and customary systems alike, giving students the words they need to read word problems, follow instructions, and describe size accurately.

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Measurement vocabulary for math class

30 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
lengthnounThe measurement of something from one end to the other, or the extent of time something lasts.The length of the swimming pool is exactly twenty-five meters.
widthnounThe measurement of how wide something is, from one side to the other.The carpenter measured the width of the doorway before ordering the new door.
heightnounThe measurement of how tall a person, object, or place is from base to top.The nurse recorded the child's height and weight at every checkup.
depthnounThe distance measured downward from the top or surface, or backward from the front.The submarine descended to a depth of nearly three hundred meters.
weightnounThe measure of how heavy something is, resulting from the force of gravity acting on its mass.The suitcase exceeded the airline's weight limit by two kilograms.
massnounThe quantity of matter in an object, measured by its resistance to acceleration; also a large body or quantity of something.Scientists measured the mass of the asteroid using its gravitational pull.
volumenounThe degree of loudness of a sound, or the control that adjusts it.Please turn down the volume; the music is too loud for a library.
capacitynounThe maximum amount that something can contain, produce, or achieve.The stadium has a seating capacity of over sixty thousand people.
distancenounThe amount of space between two points, places, or things.The distance between the two cities is about three hundred miles by road.
perimeternounThe total distance around the boundary of a flat shape.The square has sides of 4 centimeters and a perimeter of 16 centimeters.
areanounThe amount of two-dimensional space inside a region or across a surface.A rectangle that is 3 meters by 4 meters has an area of 12 square meters.
diameternounA line segment across a circle through its center, or the length of that segment.Draw a diameter through the center of the circle.
radiusnounA line segment from a circle's center to its boundary, or the length of that segment.The radius of a circle with diameter 12 centimeters is 6 centimeters.
circumferencenounThe distance around a circle.We wrapped a string around the lid to estimate its circumference.
unitnounA single, complete thing regarded as a standard measure, component, or part of a larger whole.The meter is the standard unit of length in the metric system.
meternounThe base unit of length in the metric system, equal to about 3.28 feet.The community pool is exactly twenty-five meters long from end to end.
liternounA metric unit of volume equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters, roughly 1.06 US quarts.She bought a two-liter bottle of soda for the party.
gramnounA metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram.The recipe calls for exactly two hundred grams of all-purpose flour and sugar.
kilogramnounA metric unit of mass equal to one thousand grams, the base unit of mass in the International System of Units.The recipe calls for half a kilogram of flour and two eggs.
centimeternounA unit of length in the metric system equal to one hundredth of a meter.The insect measured just two centimeters from head to tail.
millimeternounA unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter.The tiny screw's head measures just six millimeters across at its widest point.
kilometernounA unit of length in the metric system equal to one thousand meters, about 0.62 miles.The nearest town is about five kilometers from our farmhouse.
inchnounA unit of length equal to one-twelfth of a foot, about 2.54 centimeters.The board was cut two inches too short for the shelf.
footnounThe lower part of the leg below the ankle, on which a person or animal stands and walks.She stubbed her foot on the coffee table in the dark.
yardnounA unit of length equal to three feet, or an enclosed piece of ground next to a building.The tailor measured out two yards of fabric for the new curtains.
milenounA unit of distance equal to 1,760 yards, or about 1.609 kilometers.The nearest gas station is about two miles down this road.
ouncenounA unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound, about 28.3 grams.The recipe called for four ounces of melted chocolate.
poundnounA unit of weight equal to sixteen ounces, or the basic unit of currency used in the United Kingdom and some other countries.The recipe calls for one pound of flour and half a pound of butter.
gallonnounA unit of liquid volume equal to four quarts, used mainly in the United States and United Kingdom.She bought a gallon of milk for the family's breakfast this week.
metricnounA standard of measurement used to assess performance, quality, or progress.The team tracks several metrics, including customer satisfaction and response time.

Metric system vocabulary

The metric system builds its vocabulary from a small set of base units and prefixes. Meter measures length, gram measures mass, and liter measures volume, while prefixes like kilo, centi, and milli show whether a unit is larger or smaller than the base. Learning kilometer, centimeter, and millimeter together makes it easy to see how the prefixes work.

Frequently asked questions

What vocabulary is used in the metric system?

The metric system relies on base units like meter, gram, and liter combined with prefixes such as kilo, centi, and milli to describe larger or smaller amounts.