Instrument vs. Gauge — What's the Difference?

A tool or implement used to do or facilitate work, especially a small precision tool used by a professional

An instrument that measures and gives a visual display of the amount, level, or contents of something

A device for recording, measuring, or controlling, especially such a device functioning as part of a control system.

The thickness, size, or capacity of something, especially as a standard measure.

(Music) A device designed to enable a person to make musical sounds, as by blowing into it, striking it, depressing the keys on a keyboard, or plucking, strumming, or running a bow over strings.

The position of a sailing ship to windward (the weather gage) or leeward (the lee gage) of another

A means by which something is done; an agency

Estimate or determine the amount, level, or volume of

One used by another to accomplish a purpose; a dupe.

Measure the dimensions of (an object) with a gauge

A legal document, especially one that represents a right of payment or conveys an interest, such as a check, promissory note, deed, or will.

The distance between the two rails of a railroad.

To provide or equip with instruments.

The distance between two wheels on an axle.

(Music) To compose or arrange for performance.

The interior diameter of a shotgun barrel as determined by the number of lead balls of a size exactly fitting the barrel that are required to make one pound. Often used in combination

A device used to produce music.

The thickness or diameter of sheet metal, wire, or a similar manufactured material or piece.

A means or agency for achieving an effect.

The fineness of knitted cloth as measured by the number of stitches per a given unit of length.

A measuring or displaying device.

A standard or scale of measurement

A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement.

An instrument for measuring the dimensions, capacity, or amount of something

Ellipsis of flight instrument

A means of estimating or evaluating; a test

(legal) A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will.

(Nautical) The position of a vessel in relation to another vessel and the wind.

(figuratively) A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.

To measure the dimensions, capacity, proportions, or amount of (something), especially by means of a gauge

(transitive) To apply measuring devices.

To evaluate or estimate

(transitive) To devise, conceive, cook up, plan.

To adapt or make conform to a specified standard

To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument.

To chip or rub (bricks or stones) to size.

That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; a device; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical instruments.

To stretch (a pierced earlobe or other body part) by inserting progressively larger objects over a long period of time.

A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; as, a musical instrument.

Of or relating to a gauge.

A writing, as the means of giving formal expression to some act; a writing expressive of some act, contract, process, as a deed, contract, writ, etc.

(Physics) Invariant under a local transformation.

One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent; as, their army was primarily an instrument of oppression.

A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard

To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra.

An act of measuring.

To furnish or equip with instruments; to attach instruments to; as, the fighter planes were heavily instrumented; the patient was instrumented to monitor him remotely.

An estimate.

A device that requires skill for proper use

Any instrument for ascertaining or regulating the level, state, dimensions or forms of things

The means whereby some act is accomplished;

A thickness of sheet metal or wire designated by any of several numbering schemes.

A person used by another to gain an end

(rail) track gauge

(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right

(rail) loading gauge

The semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process

A semi-norm; a function that assigns a non-negative size to all vectors in a vector space.

Any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds

(knitting) The number of stitches per inch, centimetre, or other unit of distance.

Equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling

(nautical) Relative positions of two or more vessels with reference to the wind.

Write an instrumental score for

(nautical) The depth to which a vessel sinks in the water.

Address a legal document to

(plastering) The quantity of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to make it set more quickly.

That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of such shingles, slates, or tiles.

(firearms) A unit of measurement which describes how many spheres of bore diameter of a shotgun can be had from one pound of lead; 12 gauge is roughly equivalent to .75 caliber.

A shotgun (synecdoche for 12 gauge shotgun, the most common chambering for combat and hunting shotguns).

A tunnel-like ear piercing consisting of a hollow ring embedded in the lobe.

Cannabis.

(transitive) To measure or determine with a gauge; to measure the capacity of.

(transitive) To estimate.

(transitive) To appraise the character or ability of; to judge of.

To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread through it.

(transitive) To mix (a quantity of ordinary plaster) with a quantity of plaster of Paris.

(transitive) To chip, hew or polish (stones, bricks, etc) to a standard size and/or shape.

To measure or determine with a gauge.

To measure or to ascertain the contents or the capacity of, as of a pipe, barrel, or keg.

To measure the dimensions of, or to test the accuracy of the form of, as of a part of a gunlock.

To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread through it, as cloth or a garment.

To measure the capacity, character, or ability of; to estimate; to judge of.

A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard.

Measure; dimensions; estimate.

Any instrument for ascertaining or regulating the dimensions or forms of things; a templet or template; as, a button maker's gauge.

Any instrument or apparatus for measuring the state of a phenomenon, or for ascertaining its numerical elements at any moment; - usually applied to some particular instrument; as, a rain gauge; a steam gauge.

Relative positions of two or more vessels with reference to the wind; as, a vessel has the weather gauge of another when on the windward side of it, and the lee gauge when on the lee side of it.

The distance between the rails of a railway.

The quantity of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to accelerate its setting.

That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of such shingles, slates, or tiles.

A measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.

Accepted or approved instance or example of a quantity or quality against which others are judged or measured or compared

The distance between the rails of a railway or between the wheels of a train

The thickness of wire

Diameter of a tube or gun barrel

Judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time);

Rub to a uniform size;

Determine the capacity, volume, or contents of by measurement and calculation;

Measure precisely and against a standard;

Adapt to a specified measurement;

Mix in specific proportions;