criterion

/krī-ˈtir-ē-ən/

borrowed from Greek kritḗrion, from kri-, variant stem of krī́nein "to separate, choose, decide, judge" + -tērion, suffix of instruments

noun

  1. a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based

  2. a characterizing mark or trait

the university's criteria for admission

standard criterion gauge yardstick touchstone mean a means of determining what a thing should be. standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority. criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.