metric

¹ American  

[me-trik] / ˈmɛ trɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to the meter or to the metric system.

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noun

1. Often metrics a standard for measuring or evaluating something, especially one that uses figures or statistics.

   new metrics for gauging an organization’s diversity;

   pretty good by any metric.

metric ² American  

[me-trik] / ˈmɛ trɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to distance.

   metric geometry.

2. metrical.

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noun

1. Mathematics. a nonnegative real-valued function having properties analogous to those of the distance between points on a real line, as the distance between two points being independent of the order of the points, the distance between two points being zero if, and only if, the two points coincide, and the distance between two points being less than or equal to the sum of the distances from each point to an arbitrary third point.

-metric ³ American  

1. a combining form occurring in adjectives that correspond to nouns ending in -meter (barometric ) or -metry (geometric ).

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metric British  

/ ˈmɛtrɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the metre or metric system

2. maths denoting or relating to a set containing pairs of points for each of which a non-negative real number ρ( x, y ) (the distance) can be defined, satisfying specific conditions

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noun

1. maths the function ρ( x, y ) satisfying the conditions of membership of such a set (a metric space )

metric Scientific  

/ mĕt′rĭk /

1. Relating to the meter or the metric system.

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Usage

What does -metric mean? The combining form -metric is used like a suffix meaning “of or relating to a measure or the process of measurement.” It denotes the adjective form of words ending in -meter and -metry. The form -metric is often used in scientific terms.The form -metric comes from Greek -metrikos, meaning “of or relating to measure.” Find out how -metrikos is related to diameter, isometric, and metronome at our entries for these words.What are variants of -metric?While -metric doesn't have any variants, it's related to the form -metrics, as in biometrics. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for -metrics.

Etymology

Origin of metric¹

1860–65; < French métrique, derivative of mètre meter ¹; -ic

Origin of metric²

1750–60; < Latin metricus < Greek metrikós of, relating to measuring. See meter ², -ic

Origin of -metric³

< Greek -metrikos; meter ², -metry, -ic

Example Sentences

Dollar Tree reported Monday growth in a key sales metric for the latest quarter that topped Wall Street expectations, and was once again faster than that of its top rival.

From MarketWatch

Standard metrics often focus on simple behaviors, such as how frequently users click on or copy AI suggestions.

From Science Daily

While an important metric, funding is not just based on the number of medals won, or a reward for it.

From BBC

“The topic of oil prices and the economy is all that matters for now,” they said, adding that earnings and other financial metrics “will all matter again shortly.”

From MarketWatch

By using the “Net Rating” metric from college basketball stats guru Ken Pomeroy, it’s possible to measure how thoroughly a team wallops its opponents on both ends of the floor, adjusted for strength of schedule.

From The Wall Street Journal