VocabDictionary

meter

/ˈmiː.tər/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

The fundamental unit of length in the metric system, equivalent to approximately 39.37 inches.

Example Sentences:
  • The fabric was sold at five dollars per meter.
  • The running track is exactly four hundred meters around.
2.noun

An instrument designed to automatically measure and record the amount of something, such as electricity, gas, or time.

Example Sentences:
  • Make sure to feed coins into the parking meter before you leave the car.
  • The utility worker came to check the electricity meter.
3.noun

The rhythm of a piece of poetry, determined by the number and length of feet in a line.

Example Sentences:
  • Shakespearean sonnets are typically written in iambic pentameter.
  • The poem has a fast and energetic meter.
4.verb

To measure out, distribute, or regulate something in carefully controlled quantities.

Example Sentences:
  • The nurse had to meter out the medication to the patients.
  • The machine is designed to meter the flow of water precisely.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “meter”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Old English 'mēter' (meaning poetic meter), influenced by the Latin 'metrum' and Greek 'metron' (measure), as well as the French 'mètre'. The root ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European '*meh₁-', meaning 'to measure'.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

A 'meter' measures distance or utility: think of a 'parking meter' or a 'thermometer' measuring heat.

Frequently Asked Questions About “meter

1. What is the meaning of “meter” in English?

In English, meter (noun) is defined as: “The fundamental unit of length in the metric system, equivalent to approximately 39.37 inches.”.

2. How do you use “meter” in a sentence?

The fabric was sold at five dollars per meter.

3. What are English synonyms of “meter”?

Common synonyms include:gauge,measurer,quantifier,rhythm,pace

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “meter”?

Derived from the Old English 'mēter' (meaning poetic meter), influenced by the Latin 'metrum' and Greek 'metron' (measure), as well as the French 'mètre'. The root ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European '*meh₁-', meaning 'to measure'.