metro

¹ American  

[me-troh] / ˈmɛ troʊ /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

PLURAL

metros

1. the underground electric railway of Paris, France, Montreal, Canada, Washington, D.C., and other cities.

2. subway.

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metro- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “measure,” used in the formation of compound words.

   metronome.

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metro ³ American  

[me-troh] / ˈmɛ troʊ /

adjective

1. metropolitan.

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noun

PLURAL

metros

1. metropolis.

2. (often initial capital letter)  the government or jurisdiction of a large city.

metro- ⁴ American  

1. a combining form meaning “uterus,” used in the formation of compound words.

   metrorrhagia.

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metro- ⁵ American  

1. a combining form representing metropolis or metropolitan in compound words.

   metroflight; metroland; Metroliner.

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metro- ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating the uterus

   metrorrhagia

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metro- ² British  

combining form

1. indicating a measure

   metronome

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metro ³ British  

/ ˈmɛtrəʊ, metro /

noun

1. an underground, or largely underground, railway system in certain cities, esp in Europe, such as that in Paris

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Etymology

Origin of metro¹

1900–05; < French métro, short for chemin de fer métropolitain metropolitan railroad

Origin of metro-²

Combining form representing Greek métron measure

Origin of metro³

First recorded in 1900–05; by shortening; or independent use of metro- ³

Origin of metro-⁴

Combining form representing Greek mḗtra womb

Example Sentences

They have taken photos with visiting families on the National Mall, gathered outside metro stations during rush hour, and walked downtown streets in two- or three-troop clusters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wednesday, near the Farragut West metro station in D.C.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some bankers would prefer to have decamped back to that district, with its narrow, pub-lined streets and easily accessible metro stations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Troops were largely stationed around the city’s downtown area, upscale corridors, metro stations, and tourist hubs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Another witness who was in his car close to the metro station showed the BBC footage he took of the two soldiers lying on the street in their uniforms while being treated by medics.

From BBC

Related Words

• rail line
• railway
• subway