The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word YARDSTICK
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
Y
A
R
D
S
T
I
C
K
More clues leading to the result YARDSTICK
- Standard credit to extend Jamaican homes
- By which we measure enclosed ground, attracting flak?
- Criterion for replacing dirty cask
- Standard staff needed to support police HQ
- Police HQ’s indication of approval for benchmark
- Standard in vehicle set up with gear changing device
- Standard criticism after cart overturned
- Standard measures for ale? That’s right
- Police beats putting South first
- Centre of York being replaced with strangely drastic measure
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Standard" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case standard = yardstick.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does YARDSTICK mean?
YARDSTICK noun- A measuring rod thirty-six inches (one yard) long.
- A standard to which other measurements or comparisons are judged.