mete

verb \ ˈmēt \

|Updated on: 31 May 2018

Definition of mete

meted; meting

transitive verb

1 : to give out by measure : dole out

She realized the stern retribution which justice metes to the murderer.
—Edgar Rice Burroughs

—usually used with out

mete out punishment

2 archaic : measure

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Recent Examples of mete from the Web

The victims of a New York road rage incident last week say their attackers were attempting to mete out vigilante justice — but chose the wrong targets, and yelled racial slurs at them.

— jared gilmour, miamiherald, "‘We are the white supremacists:’ NY drivers hit black family’s SUV with frying pan, witnesses say | Miami Herald," 17 May 2018
The Bias Response Team is there, ready to investigate and mete out justice.

— jillian kay melchior, WSJ, "The Bias Response Team Is Watching," 8 May 2018
Finally, Bandes explains, the statements leave judges wondering whether, for example, they are supposed to mete out a more severe punishment on behalf of the rape victim who gives a more compelling statement.

— jill lepore, The New Yorker, "The Rise of the Victims’-Rights Movement," 14 May 2018
On the latter, Pompeo has advocated more punitive actions than the president has been willing to mete out.

— karoun demirjian, BostonGlobe.com, "Senate confirms Mike Pompeo as Trump’s next secretary of state," 26 Apr. 2018
On the latter, Pompeo has advocated more punitive actions than the president has been willing to mete out.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Senate confirms Mike Pompeo as secretary of state," 26 Apr. 2018
On the latter, Pompeo has advocated more punitive actions than the president has been willing to mete out.

— karoun demirjian, chicagotribune.com, "Senate confirms Mike Pompeo as Trump's next secretary of state," 26 Apr. 2018
Prosecutors like Zahnd said authorities need to mete out long criminal sentences anytime someone uses a gun during a drug deal.

— glenn e. rice, kansascity, "The marijuana myth: Low-level drug deals turn deadly for KC's suburban teens | The Kansas City Star," 14 Apr. 2018
The pilot commissions have had a broad remit to investigate and detain government workers for graft and dereliction of duty, freeze their assets and, in some cases, mete out punishment without going through the courts.

— chun han wong, WSJ, "China’s Communist Party Policing Spreads to Cover All Government Workers," 13 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mete.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mete

Middle English, from Old English metan; akin to Old High German mezzan to measure, Latin modus measure, Greek medesthai to be mindful of

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

mete

noun

Definition of mete

: boundary

metes and bounds

Origin and Etymology of mete

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin meta

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

METE Defined for Kids

mete

verb \ ˈmēt \

Definition of mete for Students

meted; meting

: to distribute as deserved

The judge will mete out punishment.

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