Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Yardstick \Yard"stick`\, n.
   A stick three feet, or a yard, in length, used as a measure
   of cloth, etc.

Source : WordNet®

yardstick
     n 1: a measure or standard used for comparison; "on what kind of
          yardstick is he basing his judgment?"
     2: a ruler or tape that is three feet long [syn: {yard measure}]