metric

1 of 3

noun

met·​ric ˈme-trik 

1

metrics plural : a part of prosody that deals with metrical (see metrical sense 1) structure

the analytical study of metric

—T. S. Eliot

2

: a standard of measurement

no metric exists that can be applied directly to happiness

—Scientific Monthly

3

: a mathematical function that associates a real nonnegative number analogous to distance with each pair of elements in a set such that the number is zero only if the two elements are identical, the number is the same regardless of the order in which the two elements are taken, and the number associated with one pair of elements plus that associated with one member of the pair and a third element is equal to or greater than the number associated with the other member of the pair and the third element

metric

2 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or using the metric system

a metric study

-metric

3 of 3

adjective combining form

variants or -metrical

1

: of, employing, or obtained by (such) a meter

galvanometric

2

: of or relating to (such) an art, process, or science of measuring

geometrical

Did you know?

The metric system was invented in France in the years following the French Revolution, and a version of it is now used in most of the world to measure distance, weight, and volume. Basic metric units include the kilogram (the basic unit of weight), the liter (the basic unit of volume), and of course the meter (the basic unit of length—see below). Metric—or more often metrical—can also refer to the basic underlying rhythm of songs and poetry. So while the scientists' measurements are usually metric, the poets' are usually metrical.

Synonyms

Noun

• bar
• barometer
• benchmark
• criterion
• gold standard
• grade
• mark
• measure
• par
• standard
• touchstone
• yardstick

Examples of metric in a Sentence

Noun

according to the usual metrics by which we judge fiction, this novel is an utter failure

Adjective

The metric unit of energy is the “joule.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And still others associate it with financial metrics, such as AI creating $100 billion in value. —Doug Shannon, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Hovland, who entered the week ranked 158th on tour this year in strokes gained around the green, led the field at Oakmont in that metric. —Justin Ray, New York Times, 16 June 2025

Adjective

Baseball Reference has a metric similar to WAR (wins above replacement) called Wins Above Average (WAA) and sorts it by position. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 June 2025

Next Gen Stats developed a metric using player-tracking data to assess the degree to which running backs generate more yards than expected. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

metric "metrical art, prosody" (in part borrowed from Late Latin metrica —short for ars metrica "metrical art"— from feminine of Latin metricus "metrical, rhythmic," borrowed from Greek metrikós; in part borrowed from Greek metrikḗ —short for metrikḕ téchnē "metrical craft"— or metriká, from, respectively, feminine singular and neuter plural of metrikós "by measurement, metrical") + -ics; (senses 2-3) probably noun derivative of metric "of measurement," earliest in mathematical use, probably after German Metrik — more at metrical

Adjective

borrowed from French métrique, from mètre meter entry 3 + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1862, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing metric

• metric space
• metric system
• metric ton
• the metric system

Rhymes for metric

• metric
• allometric
• asymmetric
• barometric
• bathymetric
• biometric
• coulometric
• amperometric
• anthropometric
• antisymmetric
• audiometric
• axisymmetric

Kids Definition

metric

adjective

met·​ric

ˈme-trik

1

: of, relating to, or based on the metric system

2

: metrical sense 1

Medical Definition

metric

adjective

met·​ric ˈme-trik 

: of, relating to, or using the metric system

a metric study

metrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb