1. A unit of length in the metric system, equal to 100 centimeters or approximately 39.37 inches.
Usage: Standard spelling in British English; American English uses 'meter'.
2. The rhythmic pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry or verse.
Usage: Literary/poetic term

Examples

• The swimming pool is 50 metres long.
• The distance was measured in metres.
• The poem is written in iambic metre.
• Shakespeare often used iambic pentameter, a metre with ten syllables per line.
• The metre of the song gives it a steady, marching quality.