A1noun 2K

Metre

UK /["/ˈmiːtə(r)/"]/ US /["/ˈmiːtər/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

a unit for measuring length; a hundred centimetres

Listen to definition

In simple words: A unit of length in the metric system, equal to 100 centimeters.

Examples

• a 50-metre swimming pool
• Every few metres the cat stopped and turned to look at me.
• Over 3 700 square metres of office space is available.
• The huge sculpture is made of 500 cubic metres of ice.
• an athlete running at 10 metres per second
• She came second in the 200 metres.
• the 4 × 100 metre(s) relay
• She knows a lot about verse metre.
• poems in a variety of metres
• the hexameter, the epic metre of Homer

Usage notes

Used in scientific contexts and for measuring distances. Not commonly used in informal language. In the US, 'meter' is more common.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Sounds like 'meet her' — imagine measuring the distance to meet someone.

Collocations

• measure in metres
• convert to metres
• length in metres

Synonyms

• meter
• length unit
• measurement

Antonyms

• imperial unit
• foot
• yard
• inch

Common mistakes

• Spelling confusion with 'meter' in American English.
• Using centimetres instead of metres for larger distances.
• Confusing with 'metre' as a unit for area or volume.