gauge (EN)

noun, verb

noun “gauge”

1. a tool used to find out how much of something there is
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   The gas gauge in the car showed that the tank was almost empty.
2. something that helps you guess or make a judgment about another thing
   The number of people attending the concert will be a good gauge of the band's popularity.
3. the specific thickness of materials like metal sheets or wires
   The metal sheet we need for the project should be 18-gauge to ensure it's strong enough.
4. the space between the tracks on a railway or between the wheels on a train
   The train couldn't run on the new tracks because the gauge was different from the standard size.
5. in terms of shotguns, it refers to the size of the gun barrel based on how many lead balls that fit the barrel's diameter would weigh one pound
   He bought a 20-gauge shotgun, which means 20 lead balls of its bore size would weigh one pound.

verb “gauge”

1. to make a guess or an estimate about something
   She tried to gauge how much food they would need for the party.
2. to use a tool to find out the size or amount of something
   The mechanic used a tool to gauge the pressure in the car's tires.