Metric
ˈmetrɪk
Definitions
3 meaningsA system of measurement, especially the decimal system of kilograms, meters, etc., as used in most countries.
ˈmetrɪk
A standard of measurement.
The country adopted the metric system in 1973.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're baking! The 'metric' system is like using grams and centimeters instead of pounds and inches to measure your ingredients. It's a worldwide standard for measuring things.
👶 For kids: A way of measuring things using things like centimeters and kilograms. It's like a special language for measurements!
More Examples
The recipe specified metric measurements, so I had to convert from the imperial system.
Scientists and engineers worldwide use the metric system.
How It's Used
"The scientists used the metric system to measure the experiment's results."
"All measurements on the blueprints were provided in metric units."
Relating to or expressed in the metric system.
ˈmetrɪk
The blueprints used metric dimensions.
💡 Simply: When something is 'metric,' it means it's using the measuring system that most of the world uses – like centimeters, meters, and kilograms. So, if you see a 'metric ruler,' it's marked in centimeters!
👶 For kids: Something that uses centimeters, meters, and kilograms to measure things.
More Examples
She converted the imperial measurements to metric units.
The company is transitioning to metric standards.
How It's Used
"The car's engine specifications are provided in metric units."
"The map uses metric scales for distance."
Serving as or providing a standard of measurement or evaluation.
ˈmetrɪk
Serving as a standard of measurement.
Sales are the primary metric for gauging success.
💡 Simply: A metric helps you measure and track things. For example, if you want to know how many visitors your website gets, the number of visitors is a metric that tells you how you're doing.
👶 For kids: A metric is a way to see how good or successful something is, like checking your score in a video game.
More Examples
The company uses various metrics to assess its marketing campaigns.
They used a comprehensive set of metrics to analyze the data.
How It's Used
"Key performance metrics are used to evaluate company performance."
"We will need to use the following metrics to analyze the project's success."
Idioms & expressions
key metric
A crucial or essential measure used to evaluate performance or progress.
"Website traffic is a key metric for measuring the success of our online marketing."
performance metric
A quantifiable measure used to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of a process or activity.
"The company uses various performance metrics to track employee progress."
From French métrique, from Latin metricus, from Greek metrikos, related to metron 'measure'. Originally referring to measurement systems and poetry, its usage broadened significantly in the 20th century.
Originally pertaining to measurement, specifically in poetry. Later became more widely applicable to measurements in various scientific and engineering fields, and then later, to evaluate performance and processes.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'meter', a key unit in this system.