Definition of "metre"

metre¹

/ˈmiːtə/

noun
plural metres
1. The basic unit of length in the International System of Units (SI: Système International d'Unités), equal to the distance travelled by light in a vacuum in 1/299 792 458 seconds. The metre is equal to 39+47⁄127 (approximately 39.37) imperial inches.
  Quotations
  The measures of length above the metre are ten times ... greater than the metre.
  1797, The Monthly magazine and British register, number 3
  A dress length of 8 metres of the best quality costs 58 francs.
  1873 April, The Young Englishwoman
  The 12-metre yachts ... can be sailed efficiently with four paid hands.
  1928 April 15, The Observer
verb
third-person singular simple present metres, present participle metring, simple past and past participle metred
1. (UK, rare) Alternative spelling of meter

/ˈmiːtə/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural metres
1. (UK, Canada) The rhythm or measure in verse and musical composition.
verb
third-person singular simple present metres, present participle metring, simple past and past participle metred
1. (poetry, music) To put into metrical form.