Definition:Unit of Measurement

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This page is about unit of measurement. For other uses, see unit.

Definition

A unit of measurement is a specified magnitude of a given physical quantity, defined by convention.

It is used as a standard for measurement of that physical quantity.

Any other value of the physical quantity can be expressed as a multiple of that unit of measurement.


Examples

Mass

The physical quantity mass can be defined by specifying how two bodies are compared using a balance.

The mass of one of the bodies can be taken as a standard, and given a name, for example kilogram or pound.

Then the mass of any other body can be expressed in terms of this unit of measurement.


Also known as

Some sources refer to a unit of measurement as a unit of measure.


Also see

  • Results about units of measurement can be found here.


Sources