1
metrics plural
: a part of prosody that deals with metrical (see metrical sense 1) structure
the analytical study of metric—
T. S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot2
: a standard of measurement
no metric exists that can be applied directly to happiness—Scientific Monthly
Scientific Monthly3
: 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
: of, relating to, or using the metric system
a metric study
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
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 WebAdam Rasmi/athens, TIME, 25 Apr. 2024
Those metrics overshadowed what was otherwise a solid first quarter, with revenue of $36.5 billion, an increase of more than 27% over the same period a year ago.
—Kurt Wagner, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
In fact, this lightweight, fast-absorbing formula earned a near-perfect score on key metrics from our tester.
—Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
This version tracked hard cornering, forward collision alerts, lane-departure warnings and seatbelt reminders; these metrics were being used to price policies for drivers using G.M.’s own insurance plan, then called OnStar Insurance, but don’t seem to have been shared with LexisNexis and Verisk.
—Kashmir Hill, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024
Last season, the metrics weren’t quite as good: 31 completions in 48 targets for 330 yards (10.6 per reception), four TDs and one interception.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2024
Cleaning up the image of Pemex — the most indebted company in emerging markets and the world’s most indebted oil producer — has potential global resonance as banks and investors increasingly eye companies committed to environmental, social and governance metrics.
—Scott Squires, Bloomberg.com, 20 Apr. 2024
Often the test and metrics that are needed depend on the use case.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2024
The Nordic country also routinely scores extremely high in global surveys, indexes and reports that compare countries on various quality of life and good governance metrics.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Sean Murphy, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Inflation data for March will be issued on April 10, a metric sure to be closely watched given that the Fed wants to see the annual inflation rate drift back down to its pre-pandemic level of about 2%.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
This metric measures how often and effectively end users utilize the features developed by the outsourced team.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
If the cash were in various denominations, like $5s, $10s and $20s, the weight of $1 million in cash could be closer to 250 pounds (115 kilograms), which could bring the overall weight of last weekend's haul to a whopping 7,500 pounds (3,400 kilograms), or about 3 1/2 tons (3.18 metric tonnes).
—Sean Murphy, Quartz, 5 Apr. 2024
The latter company was far bigger in every metric (annual revenue, for example, was $27 billion vs. $5 billion) except for one: market capitalization, which is the value Wall Street put on each of the company’s shares.
—Paul Bond, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024
The researchers used a metric called the supplemental poverty measure, which considers both income and noncash support like food stamps, as well as the local cost of living.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024
No pitcher induced a larger percentage of contact on the ground last season than Webb, while only two rated out worse — according to a metric developed by Statcast — at keeping the running game in check.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024
Of course, this metric looks specifically at rich Gen Xers as opposed to the generation as a whole, and this is where the reason for the shift may become clear.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
But the Greek economy still lags on key metrics like productivity, and there are ongoing concerns about the business and regulatory environment.
—Adam Rasmi/athens, TIME, 25 Apr. 2024
Those metrics overshadowed what was otherwise a solid first quarter, with revenue of $36.5 billion, an increase of more than 27% over the same period a year ago.
—Kurt Wagner, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
In fact, this lightweight, fast-absorbing formula earned a near-perfect score on key metrics from our tester.
—Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
This version tracked hard cornering, forward collision alerts, lane-departure warnings and seatbelt reminders; these metrics were being used to price policies for drivers using G.M.’s own insurance plan, then called OnStar Insurance, but don’t seem to have been shared with LexisNexis and Verisk.
—Kashmir Hill, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024
Last season, the metrics weren’t quite as good: 31 completions in 48 targets for 330 yards (10.6 per reception), four TDs and one interception.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2024
Cleaning up the image of Pemex — the most indebted company in emerging markets and the world’s most indebted oil producer — has potential global resonance as banks and investors increasingly eye companies committed to environmental, social and governance metrics.
—Scott Squires, Bloomberg.com, 20 Apr. 2024
Often the test and metrics that are needed depend on the use case.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2024
The Nordic country also routinely scores extremely high in global surveys, indexes and reports that compare countries on various quality of life and good governance metrics.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Adjective
If the cash were in various denominations, like $5s, $10s and $20s, the weight of $1 million in cash could be closer to 250 pounds (115 kilograms), which could bring the overall weight of last weekend’s haul to a whopping 7,500 pounds (3,400 kilograms), or about 3 1/2 tons (3.18 metric tonnes).
—Sean Murphy, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Inflation data for March will be issued on April 10, a metric sure to be closely watched given that the Fed wants to see the annual inflation rate drift back down to its pre-pandemic level of about 2%.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
This metric measures how often and effectively end users utilize the features developed by the outsourced team.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
If the cash were in various denominations, like $5s, $10s and $20s, the weight of $1 million in cash could be closer to 250 pounds (115 kilograms), which could bring the overall weight of last weekend's haul to a whopping 7,500 pounds (3,400 kilograms), or about 3 1/2 tons (3.18 metric tonnes).
—Sean Murphy, Quartz, 5 Apr. 2024
The latter company was far bigger in every metric (annual revenue, for example, was $27 billion vs. $5 billion) except for one: market capitalization, which is the value Wall Street put on each of the company’s shares.
—Paul Bond, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024
The researchers used a metric called the supplemental poverty measure, which considers both income and noncash support like food stamps, as well as the local cost of living.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024
No pitcher induced a larger percentage of contact on the ground last season than Webb, while only two rated out worse — according to a metric developed by Statcast — at keeping the running game in check.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024
Of course, this metric looks specifically at rich Gen Xers as opposed to the generation as a whole, and this is where the reason for the shift may become clear.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metric.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near metric
Cite this Entry
“Metric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metric. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
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