# meter

/ˈmitɝ/ (US) · /mˈiːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/meter
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. measuring device

noun · CEFR A2

a device that measures and records the amount of something used, such as gas, water, or electricity.

For teachers: an instrument used to measure and record the quantity or rate of flow of a substance or energy.

- The technician came to read the electric meter in the basement.
- The utility company installed a smart meter to provide real-time data on household energy consumption and peak usage patterns.

### 2. unit of length

noun · CEFR A1 · American English

a unit of length equal to 100 centimetres.

For teachers: the SI base unit of length, equivalent to approximately 39.37 inches.

- The fabric is one meter wide and three meters long.
- The Olympic swimming pool is exactly fifty meters in length, meeting the international standards for competitive racing.

Usage: Spelt 'metre' in British English and most other varieties of English.

### 3. rhythm in music or poetry

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

the regular pattern of beats in a piece of music or a poem.

For teachers: the rhythmic structure of a verse or musical composition, determined by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables or beats.

- The poem has a very fast meter that makes it sound like a song.
- The composer experimented with an irregular meter, intentionally disrupting the listener's expectations of a standard four-four time signature.

Teaching tip: In British English, this sense is also spelt 'metre'.

### 4. to measure or regulate

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to measure something with a device or to control how much of something flows out.

For teachers: to measure by means of a meter or to regulate the delivery of a substance in specific amounts.

- The pump is designed to meter the chemicals into the water tank slowly.
- The system is calibrated to meter the oxygen supply precisely, ensuring the environment remains stable throughout the duration of the experiment.

Usage: Often used in engineering or industrial contexts regarding fluid or power flow.

## Examples

- The song has a fast meter that makes people want to dance.
- The poet used a strict iambic meter to give the verses a steady, heartbeat-like rhythm.
- While the melody remains fluid, the underlying meter provides a structural framework that prevents the orchestral performance from descending into rhythmic chaos during the more complex passages.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.