Definition

1. Noun:

   • A device that measures and records the quantity or rate of something: An instrument used to measure things like electricity, gas, water, or time.
   • The basic unit of length in the metric system: Equivalent to approximately 39.37 inches.
   • Rhythm in poetry or music: The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in verse, or the rhythmic structure of a piece of music.

2. Verb:

   • To measure using a meter: To determine the amount or rate of something with a measuring device.
   • To stamp with a meter to indicate postage: To imprint mail with a mark showing that postage has been paid by a postage meter.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The electricity meter is read monthly to calculate the bill.
  • The race is five thousand meters long.
  • The poet carefully considered the meter of the sonnet.

• Verb:

  • The city meters water usage to promote conservation.
  • The office assistant will meter all the outgoing letters.

Advanced Usage

• "Common meter": A specific poetic rhythm, often used in hymns, consisting of alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter.

  • Many classic hymns are written in common meter.

• "In meter": Conforming to a regular rhythmic pattern.

  • Her speech had a natural, almost poetic, rhythm and was perfectly in meter.

Variants and Related Words

• Meterage (n): The act or process of measuring with a meter; the cost based on such measurement.
• Metered (adj): Measured or supplied by a meter (e.g., metered parking, metered internet).
• Kilometer (n): A unit of length equal to 1,000 meters.
• Thermometer (n): A device for measuring temperature.
• Altimeter (n): A device for measuring altitude.

Synonyms

• Noun (device): Gauge, measure, counter.
• Noun (unit): Metre (UK spelling).
• Noun (rhythm): Measure, cadence, beat.
• Verb: Measure, gauge, quantify.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Meter" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The verb form is typically used directly with an object.)

Related Idioms

• "Running on the meter": Operating or being charged for based on time or usage measured by a meter, like a taxi.
  • We took a cab, so the fare was running on the meter.
• "Off the meter": Not being charged based on the standard meter rate; often used informally for taxis.
  • The driver gave me a flat rate that was off the meter.

Noun

1. rhythm as given by division into parts of equal duration
2. (prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
3. any of various measuring instruments for measuring a quantity
4. the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

Verb

1. stamp with a meter indicating the postage
   • meter the mail
2. measure with a meter
   • meter the flow of water