metre

¹ British  

/ ˈmiːtə /

noun

1. a metric unit of length equal to approximately 1.094 yards

2. the basic SI unit of length; the length of the path travelled by light in free space during a time interval of 1/299 792 458 of a second. In 1983 this definition replaced the previous one based on krypton-86, which in turn had replaced the definition based on the platinum-iridium metre bar kept in Paris

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metre ² British  

/ ˈmiːtə /

noun

1. prosody the rhythmic arrangement of syllables in verse, usually according to the number and kind of feet in a line

2. music another word (esp US) for time

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Etymology

Origin of metre¹

C18: from French; see _metre ²

Origin of metre²

C14: from Latin metrum, from Greek metron measure

Example Sentences

Some monitors there recorded levels of PM2.5 -- particles small enough to enter the bloodstream and linked to diseases like cancer -- of over 900 micrograms per cubic metre.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Based on the amount of polystyrene particles in one square metre, David estimated that there were over 300,000 pieces lying across 70 square metres.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

However, China's current definition of "good" is PM2.5 levels of under 35 micrograms per cubic metre, significantly higher than the WHO's recommended five micrograms.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

Sea levels are expected to rise in Wales by up to a metre by 2100, alongside more frequent and severe storms, with more than 350,000 properties set to be at risk of flooding.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

This melodic symmetry had not been a noticeable feature of the more onward- flowing, unpredictable tunes of Bach and Handel, whose phrases were so often guided by the metre of the words they set.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• cadence
• flow
• movement
• pattern
• pulse
• swing
• tempo