meter
1the fundamental unit of length in the metric system, equivalent to 39.37 U.S. inches, originally intended to be, and being very nearly, equal to one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the pole measured on a meridian: defined from 1889 to 1960 as the distance between two lines on a platinum-iridium bar (the “International Prototype Meter”) preserved at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures near Paris; from 1960 to 1983 defined as 1,650,763.73 wavelengths of the orange-red radiation of krypton 86 under specified conditions; and now defined as 1/299,792,458 of the distance light travels in a vacuum in one second. Abbreviation: m
Origin of meter
1- Also especially British, me·tre .
Other definitions for meter (2 of 4)
Music.
the rhythmic element as measured by division into parts of equal time value.
the unit of measurement, in terms of number of beats, adopted for a given piece of music.: Compare measure (def. 14).
Prosody.
poetic measure; arrangement of words in regularly measured, patterned, or rhythmic lines or verses.
a particular form of such arrangement, depending on either the kind or the number of feet constituting the verse or both rhythmic kind and number of feet (usually used in combination): pentameter; dactylic meter; iambic trimeter.
Origin of meter
2- Also especially British, me·tre .
Other definitions for meter (3 of 4)
an instrument for measuring, especially one that automatically measures and records the quantity of something, as of gas, water, miles, or time, when it is activated.
to measure by means of a meter.
to process (mail) by means of a postage meter.
Origin of meter
3- Also especially British, me·tre .
Other words from meter
- un·me·tered, adjective
Other definitions for -meter (4 of 4)
a combining form meaning “measure,” used in the names of instruments measuring quantity, extent, degree, etc.: altimeter; barometer.
Origin of -meter
4- Compare -metry.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use meter in a sentence
They also demonstrated a prototype tile weighing just 280 grams per square meter, similar to the weight of card.
Solar Power Stations in Space Could Be the Answer to Our Energy Needs | Amanda Jane Hughes | November 27, 2020 | Singularity HubA 2018 study reported millions to tens of millions of microplastic pieces per cubic meter from melted Arctic ice cores.
Plastics are showing up in the world’s most remote places, including Mount Everest | Carolyn Wilke | November 20, 2020 | Science NewsThe 2020 study also found that water beneath ice floes held between 0 to 18 microplastic particles per cubic meter.
Plastics are showing up in the world’s most remote places, including Mount Everest | Carolyn Wilke | November 20, 2020 | Science NewsThis speaker can be submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes, proving its durability.
Electronics and exercise gear that make excellent gifts | PopSci Commerce Team | October 8, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThe mission aims to round out our list of 90% of NEOs bigger than 140 meters within a decade of launch.
The World’s Space Agencies Are on a Quest to Deflect a (Harmless) Asteroid | Jason Dorrier | September 27, 2020 | Singularity Hub
In Colorado, officials are considering a request from utilities to scale back the net metering policy.
A further control of the high speed jet is provided by the fuel metering valve operated by the carbureter throttle.
Marvel Carbureter and Heat Control | AnonymousThe only moving part is the metering valve, which rises and falls with the changes in vacuum.
Aviation Engines | Victor Wilfred PagThe one adjustment consists in raising or lowering the tapered metering pin, increasing or decreasing the supply of gasoline.
Aviation Engines | Victor Wilfred PagThe air chamber surrounds the metering valve, and there is a mixing chamber above.
Aviation Engines | Victor Wilfred PagIt will be noticed that a metering pin or needle valve opens the jet when the air valve opens.
Aviation Engines | Victor Wilfred Pag
British Dictionary definitions for meter (1 of 4)
/ (ˈmiːtə) /
the US spelling of metre 1
British Dictionary definitions for meter (2 of 4)
/ (ˈmiːtə) /
the US spelling of metre 2
British Dictionary definitions for meter (3 of 4)
/ (ˈmiːtə) /
any device that measures and records the quantity of a substance, such as gas, that has passed through it during a specified period
any device that measures and sometimes records an electrical or magnetic quantity, such as current, voltage, etc
See parking meter
to measure (a rate of flow) with a meter
to print with stamps by means of a postage meter
Origin of meter
3British Dictionary definitions for -meter (4 of 4)
indicating an instrument for measuring: barometer
prosody indicating a verse having a specified number of feet: pentameter
Origin of -meter
4Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for meter
[ mē′tər ]
The basic unit of length in the metric system, equal to 39.37 inches. See Table at measurement.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for meter (1 of 2)
The highly organized rhythm characteristic of verse; the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line. (See iambic pentameter.)
The basic unit of length in the metric system; it was originally planned so that the circumference of the Earth would be measured at about forty million meters. A meter is 39.37 inches. Today, the meter is defined to be the distance light travels in 1 / 299,792,458 seconds.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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