Meter Definition

mētər
metered, metering, meters
noun
meters
The basic pattern of beats in successive measures of a piece of music: it is usually indicated in the time signature.
Webster's New World
A particular arrangement of words in poetry, such as iambic pentameter, determined by the kind and number of metrical units in a line.
American Heritage
Rhythm in verse; measured, patterned arrangement of syllables, primarily according to stress or length.
Webster's New World
The basic unit of linear measure in the metric system, equal to 39.3701 inches: now defined in the SI system as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
Webster's New World
The specific rhythmic pattern of a stanza as determined by the kind and number of lines.
Webster's New World
verb
metered, metering, meters
To measure or record with a meter or meters.
Webster's New World
To provide in measured quantities.
Webster's New World
To process (mail) with a postage meter.
Webster's New World
To provide with a parking meter or parking meters.
Meter parking spaces.
American Heritage
suffix
Measuring device.
Anemometer.
American Heritage
affix
A device for measuring (a specified thing)
Thermometer, barometer.
Webster's New World
A line of verse having (a specified number of) metrical feet.
Heptameter.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Meter

Noun

Singular:
meter
Plural:
meters

Origin of Meter

  • Middle English from Old English meter and from Old French metre both from Latin metrum from Greek metron measure, poetic meter mē-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • French -mètre from Greek metron measure mē-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • French mètre from Greek metron measure mē-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Fr -mètre or ModL -metrum, both < Gr metron, a measure: see meter

    From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition

  • From French mètre, from Ancient Greek μέτρον (metron, “measure")

    From Wiktionary

  • From –meter

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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