1The level, degree, or standard of something such as ability, skill, or quality of life — e.g. "educational level," "standard of living."
この国の技術水準は年々向上している。
This country's level of technology is improving year by year.
テストの平均点からクラス全体の水準がわかる。
You can gauge the class's overall level from the test average.
彼の英語力はネイティブに近い水準に達している。
His English ability has reached a level close to that of a native speaker.
2In surveying, the elevation of a point measured against a reference plane (e.g. sea level) — a technical term as in "benchmark" (水準点) or "leveling survey" (水準測量). Not used for the everyday sense of a river or dam's water rising (that is 水位).
この工事現場では水準測量を行って高低差を確認した。
At this construction site, a leveling survey was conducted to check the difference in elevation.
全国の水準点は国土地理院によって管理されている。
Benchmarks (leveling points) across the country are managed by the Geospatial Information Authority.