metric

1
[ me-trik ]
/ ˈmɛ trɪk /
SEE 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.

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!
Question 1 of 7
What does “vacillate” mean?
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
to cause to be empty or unoccupied.
to assent tacitly; agree; consent.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of metric

1
1860–65; <French métrique, derivative of mètremeter1; see -ic

Words nearby metric

metratrophy, Metrazol, metre, metre-kilogram-second, metria, metric, metrical, metrical mile, metrical psalm, metricate, metrication

Definition for metric (2 of 3)

metric2
[ me-trik ]
/ ˈmɛ trɪk /

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

2
1750–60; <Latin metricus<Greek metrikós of, relating to measuring. See meter2, -ic

Definition for metric (3 of 3)

-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. 2020

Words related to metric

measured, metrical, rhythmic, cadent

Example sentences from the Web for metric

British Dictionary definitions for metric

metric
/ (ˈmɛtrɪk) /

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

Medical definitions for metric

metric
[ mĕt′rĭk ]

adj.

Of or relating to the meter or the metric system.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for metric

metric
[ mĕt′rĭk ]

Relating to the meter or the metric system.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.