Describes a relative degree: how much you did something, and how close to a limit you are.
As B as A
Very similar to より, but now stating just how much they are comparable: setting one to the standard of the other.
自転車は車程早くないけど... Bicycles are not as fast as cars.
今日は思ったほど暑くなかった。 Today was not as hot as thought.
お母さんほどケーキ作りが上手な人はどこにもいない。 Nobody is as good as my mum at making cakes.
To the point it could have (A)
Similar to ように
死ぬほど練習した I practiced so much that I could have died
その気持ちは痛いほど分かる I understand you to the point that it hurts.
それは嫌なほど聞かされたから、分かってる。 I have heard that so many times that it hurts. I get it alright?!
Approximately
Similar to くらい whe withcounter＋
あと10分ほどで着きます。 I'll arrive in about 10 minutes.
The more you (A), the more you (...)
When combined with an if-form
歩いたら歩くほど、迷ってしまった。 The more I walked, the more i got lost.
勉強をすればするほど、頭がよくなるよ。 The more you study, the more smart you become.