To make something conform to or match a standard; to establish consistency in specifications, procedures, or measurements. Essential for quality control and interoperability.
From Old French 'estandard' meaning 'rallying point, banner' (possibly from Germanic 'stand' + 'hard' meaning 'firm stand'). The modern sense of uniform specification developed during the Industrial Revolution when mass production required consistent measurements and procedures.
Originally, a 'standard' was literally a flag or banner that troops would rally around—a fixed point everyone could see and move toward! Modern standardization works the same way: it gives everyone a common 'flag' to align with, whether it's measurements, procedures, or quality levels.
See 'standardization'—the verb carries the same historical bias of excluding women's labor and needs from standardized benchmarks and protections.
Apply standards equitably; when standardizing processes, consider whether women's work and conditions are included in the standard.
["standardize equitably"]
Women's contributions to standardization work (especially in nursing, education, and labor safety) were often invisible; credit them explicitly.
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