Meta Definition

mĕtə

adjective

Making or showing awareness of reference to oneself or to the activity that is taking place, especially in an ironic or comic way.

American Heritage

(informal) Self-referential; at a higher level.

Wiktionary

prefix

Later in time.

Metestrus.

American Heritage

At a later stage of development.

Metanephros.

American Heritage

Situated behind.

Metacarpus.

American Heritage

Change; transformation.

Metachromatism.

American Heritage

Alternation.

Metagenesis.

American Heritage

affix

Change in position or form, alteration, transposition.

Metathesis, metasomatism.

Webster's New World

After.

Metapneumonic.

Webster's New World

Behind, at the back.

Metanephros.

Webster's New World

Going beyond or higher, transcending.

Metalinguistics, metacriticism.

Webster's New World

Between.

Metope.

Webster's New World

noun

Wiktionary

Either of the conical columns at each end of a Roman circus.

Wiktionary

Origin of Meta

Greek from meta beside, after me-² in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From meta– (as in metalanguage)

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

From Wiktionary