metre

¹

/ ˈmiːtə /

noun

1. a metric unit of length equal to approximately 1.094 yards
2. the basic SI unit of length; the length of the path travelled by light in free space during a time interval of 1/299 792 458 of a second. In 1983 this definition replaced the previous one based on krypton-86, which in turn had replaced the definition based on the platinum-iridium metre bar kept in Paris

metre

²

/ ˈmiːtə /

noun

1. prosody the rhythmic arrangement of syllables in verse, usually according to the number and kind of feet in a line
2. music another word (esp US) for time

Word History and Origins

Origin of metre¹

C18: from French; see metre ²

Origin of metre²

C14: from Latin metrum, from Greek metron measure

Example Sentences

At the time, the interview became famous after the pair talked about seeing the 123m metre spire in Salisbury.

From BBC

The rule states every house, school and workplace should have a view of at least three trees, be in a neighbourhood with at least 30% canopy cover, and be within 300 metres of a park.

From Science Daily

E.On is not the first supplier to face criticism over its treatment of customers who use pre-payment metres.

From BBC

Russia's biggest advantage is manpower and it has shown a willingness to throw soldiers at Ukrainian positions to gain a few metres at a time.

From BBC

Komal’s morning view was of jagged, forbidding mountains, the rush of the river dozens of metres below the family home on the cliff.

From BBC

Related Words

• cadence
• flow
• movement
• pattern
• pulse
• swing
• tempo