Term: measurement
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03794

Definition:
A description of a property of a system by means of a set of specified rules, that maps the property onto a scale of specified values, by direct or 'mathematical' comparison with specified reference(s). The demand for rules makes 'measurement' a scientific concept in contrast to the mere colloquial sense of 'description'. However, in the present definition, 'measurement' has a wider meaning than given in elementary physics. Even a very incomplete description of, for instance, a patient (at a stated time) has to be given by a set of measurements, that are easier to manage and grasp.

Source: PAC, 1995, 67, 1563. 'Properties and units in the clinical laboratory sciences-I. Syntax and semantic rules (IUPAC-IFCC Recommendations 1995)' on page 1565 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567081563)

Citation: 'measurement' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03794

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