metro

¹

[ me-troh ]

noun

, (often initial capital letter)

, plural met·ros.

1. the underground electric railway of Paris, France, Montreal, Canada, Washington, D.C., and other cities.
2. subway ( def 1 ).

metro-

²

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

   metronome.

metro

³

[ me-troh ]

adjective

1. metropolitan ( defs 1, 2 ).

noun

, plural met·ros.

1. metropolis ( defs 1, 2 ).
2. (often initial capital letter) Chiefly Canadian. the government or jurisdiction of a large city.

metro-

⁴

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

   metrorrhagia.

metro-

⁵

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

   metroflight; metroland; Metroliner.

metro-

¹

combining_form

1. indicating the uterus

   metrorrhagia

metro-

²

combining_form

1. indicating a measure

   metronome

metro

³

/ ˈmɛtrəʊ; metro /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of metro¹

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

Origin of metro²

Combining form representing Greek métron measure

Origin of metro³

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

Origin of metro⁴

Combining form representing Greek mḗtra womb

Word History and Origins

Origin of metro¹

from Greek mētra womb

Origin of metro²

from Greek metron measure

Origin of metro³

C20: from French, short for chemin de fer métropolitain metropolitan railway

Example Sentences

Ms Tiwari says that this approach is problematic because doing so makes it difficult for pedestrians to access public transport systems, like buses and metros, which can take the pressure off the roads.

From BBC

Mountain lions prefer to avoid people, but in a metro area of more than 18 million people, natural areas inhabited by mountain lions and other wildlife are also heavily used by recreationists.

From Science Daily

The Central Valley is home to many conservative Democrats, who often vote differently than those in liberal metro areas like Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

From Los Angeles Times

Original story: More polling places in the metro Atlanta area had to be evacuated late on Tuesday evening after another round of bomb threats.

From Salon

This problem is especially prevalent in the Southwest, as epitomized by the Phoenix metro area.

From Salon

Related Words

• rail line
• railway
• subway