metric system

noun

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

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of metric system was in 1864

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 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

metric system

noun
: a system of weights and measures based on the meter and on the kilogram
metric system table

Medical Definition

metric system

noun
: a decimal system of weights and measures based on the meter and on the kilogram compare cgs, mks

More from Merriam-Webster on metric system

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!