metric system

noun

Definition of metric system

: a decimal system of weights and measures based on the meter and on the kilogram

See metric system defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of metric system from the Web

Calm down, weather lovers, the National Weather Service in Portland is not moving to the metric system.

— lizzy acker, OregonLive.com, "National Weather Service in Portland moves to the metric system (plus other April Fool's jokes you might have missed)," 1 Apr. 2018
Every country in the world, with the exception of Myanmar, Liberia, and the United States, uses the metric system.

— christopher muther, BostonGlobe.com, "The world has gotten Trump’s message," 8 Feb. 2018
Australians also use the metric system, so distances and speeds are measured in kilometers, as opposed to miles.

— krisanne fordham, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Essential Things to Know Before You Visit Sydney," 2 Mar. 2018
Since 1965, the British government has been pushing its people toward the metric system, used most everywhere else but the U.S., Liberia and Myanmar.

— jenny gross, WSJ, "English Vigilantes Use Ladders, Sticky Letters to Exterminate the Metric System," 23 Oct. 2017
At press time, only three of the world's countries don't use the metric system: the United States, Myanmar and Liberia.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "America Has Been Struggling With the Metric System For Almost 230 Years," 27 July 2017
The core problem involved measuring in the Imperial system instead of the metric system—had been ongoing for nearly 10 months, yet had been undetected.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Math Mistake That Doomed a Mars Probe in 1999," 13 Oct. 2017
Measure for Measure to rid the country of the metric system.

— gerard baker, WSJ, "The 10-Point.," 24 Oct. 2017

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