noun

metre

meter, rhythm, beat

The room is five metres long.

The room is five meters long.

The poem is written in a regular metre.

The poem is written in a regular meter.

((number + meters)) unit of length The room is five meters long.

((in a certain meter)) rhythm in poetry or music The poem is written in a regular meter.

Synonyms (for rhythm): rhythm, cadence, beat

From Greek 'metron' (measure). This root is common to both meanings of length and rhythm in poetry. Note the US spelling is 'meter'.

A 'meter' is a way to 'measure' things, whether it's distance or the rhythm of a poem.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.