A meterstick or yardstick is either a straightedge or foldable ruler used to measure length, and is especially common in the construction industry. They are often made of wood or plastic, and often have metal or plastic joints so that they can be folded together.

What does yardstick mean?

1a : a graduated measuring stick three feet (0.9144 meter) long. b : a standard basis of calculation a yardstick for measuring astronomical distances. 2 : a standard for making a critical judgment : criterion measured by the yardstick of her first book was a great success by any yardstick.

What is on a yard stick?

A yardstick measures one yard -- 36 inches. Marks located along the sides of a yardstick represent fractions of an inch. Each fractional measurement has a specific line length. The length of the marked lines varies depending on the size of the fraction.