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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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of metre1

C18: from French; see metre ²

Origin of metre2

C14: from Latin metrum, from Greek metron measure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For 150 years, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures has provided the framework for a common system of measurements for the countries that signed up to the Metre Convention.

From Barron's • Oct. 15, 2025

Sandkuhler says Van Metre intends to incorporate more townhouses in its product mix in the future, which is why the company chose to design a modular townhouse for its second project.

From Washington Post • Jun. 9, 2022

For customers who want to see their design choices in person, Van Metre can drop off a sample or schedule a solo tour of a model to maintain social distancing.

From Washington Post • Apr. 8, 2020

Fulton, of course, is one of many sportsmen who have been dubbed Two Metre Peter.

From The Guardian • Jan. 3, 2020

They were passing Metre 320 on Rack 11.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley