metric system
noun
: a decimal system of weights and measures based on the meter and on the kilogram
Examples of metric system in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Local dialects were effectively banned, and use of the new, highly rational metric system was required.
—
Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Feb. 2022
No metric system, no Quarter Pounder.
—Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 27 Aug. 2020
The metric system itself was created during the French Revolution, then rejected under Napoleon and brought back with the July Revolution of 1830.
—James Vincent, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2023
Participants at the 27th meeting of the General Conference on Weights and Measures agreed to introduce the ronna, quetta, ronto and quecto as prefixes for the International System of Units, which is better known as the metric system.
—Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2022
The great thing about the metric system is the use of prefixes to identify relationships between relative sizes.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2013
The ovens are in centigrade and the measuring cups are in the metric system.
—Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Dec. 2022
The metric system was a product of the French Revolution, which overthrew absolute monarchy and took the pied du roi down with it.
—Katie Hafner, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2022
Meet the new names for huge and tiny numbers: The metric system has gotten an update.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2022
See More
Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Feb. 2022
No metric system, no Quarter Pounder.
—Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 27 Aug. 2020
The metric system itself was created during the French Revolution, then rejected under Napoleon and brought back with the July Revolution of 1830.
—James Vincent, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2023
Participants at the 27th meeting of the General Conference on Weights and Measures agreed to introduce the ronna, quetta, ronto and quecto as prefixes for the International System of Units, which is better known as the metric system.
—Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2022
The great thing about the metric system is the use of prefixes to identify relationships between relative sizes.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2013
The ovens are in centigrade and the measuring cups are in the metric system.
—Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Dec. 2022
The metric system was a product of the French Revolution, which overthrew absolute monarchy and took the pied du roi down with it.
—Katie Hafner, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2022
Meet the new names for huge and tiny numbers: The metric system has gotten an update.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metric system.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1864, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to metric system
Dictionary Entries Near metric system
Cite this Entry
“Metric system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metric%20system. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
metric system
noun
: a system of weights and measures based on the meter and on the kilogram
More from Merriam-Webster on metric system
Nglish: Translation of metric system for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about metric system
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share