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Added 9 October 2026

meter

/ˈmitəɹ/ noun

Categories: Describing WordsThingsUncommon Words

In Latin: metrum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about meter at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A device that measures things. A parking meter or similar device for collecting payment.
    gas meter
  2. A parking meter or similar device for collecting payment.
    gas meter
  3. One who metes or measures.
    a labouring coal-meter

verb

  1. To measure with a metering device.
  2. To imprint a postage mark with a postage meter.
  3. To regulate the flow of or to deliver in regulated amounts (usually of fluids but sometimes of other things such as anticipation or breath).

noun

  1. US standard spelling of metre (“a unit of measure”).

noun

  1. US standard spelling of metre (“the rhythm or measure”).

Origin

From Middle English metere (“one who measures, measurer”), perhaps (with change in suffix) from Old English metend (“one who measures or metes”), equivalent to mete (“to measure”) + -er. The transference from "person who measures" to "device that measures" was probably assisted by association with -meter, as in barometer, etc. Cognate with Scots mettar, metter (“meter, measurer”), Saterland Frisian Meter, Meeter (“measurer, measuring device, gauge”), West Frisian mjitter (“measurer”), Dutch meter (“measurer, gauge”), German Low German Meter (“measuring device, gauge”), German Messer (“measurer, measuring device, gauge”), Swedish mätare (“measurer”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: mmetretimebeatcadencemeasuretaximeterspeedometerodometerdashboardrackmetro

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