metric

[me-trik]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR metric ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to the meter or to the metric system.

noun

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.

Origin of metric

1860–65; < French métrique, derivative of mètre meter¹; see -ic

metric

[me-trik]

adjective

pertaining to distance: metric geometry.

metrical.

noun

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.

Origin of metric

1750–60; < Latin metricus < Greek metrikós of, relating to measuring. See meter², -ic

-metric

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

Origin of -metric

< Greek -metrikos; see meter², -metry, -ic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for metric

measured, metrical, rhythmic, cadent

Examples from the Web for metric

Contemporary Examples of metric

“You are applying Western metrics to someone who is not using that metric against you,” referring to ISIS, Bolger said.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War
Nancy A. Youssef
January 7, 2015
America sent less than 2,000 metric tons of cheese to China in 2009.
Say Cheese—China's New Obsession
Will Doig
September 2, 2014
Do you have any kind of metric for whether what you're doing is working or not?
Hanging Out With the Minds Behind Google Doodles and Chrome Experiments
Douglas Wolk
May 5, 2014
The “calories in vs. calories out” equation for obtaining a lean physique can make this metric a major focus point.
How to Better Use Your Data
January 8, 2014
Outside of simply helping to match your input to your output, use the metric to help increase your movement throughout the day.
How to Better Use Your Data
January 8, 2014

Historical Examples of metric

The metric symbols are treated as abbreviations but the chemical symbols are not.
Punctuation
Frederick W. Hamilton
The metric system of weights and measures is one in which the meter is the unit of measure.
Orthography
Elmer W. Cavins
In any modern work on horology of value, the metric system is used.
An Analysis of the Lever Escapement
H. R. Playtner
The latter was the only one that was under the metric carat.
A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public
Frank Bertram Wade
The metric system of weights and measures has been in force since 1878.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 8
Various

British Dictionary definitions for metric

metric

adjective

of or relating to the metre or metric system

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

noun

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

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

Word Origin and History for metric

adj.

"pertaining to the system of measures based on the meter," 1855, from French métrique, from mèter (see meter (n.2)). In this sense, metrical is attested from 1797.

"science of versification," 1760, from Greek he metrike "prosody," plural of metron "meter, a verse; that by which anything is measured; measure, length, size, limit, proportion" (see meter (n.1)).