the metric system
noun/ðə ˈmetrɪk sɪstəm/
/ðə ˈmetrɪk sɪstəm/
[singular]- the system of measurement that uses the metre, the kilogram and the litre as basic unitsCultureIn the metric system, measurements are based on a single basic unit, for example the metre for length and the kilogram for mass. Other units of measurement are 10, 100, 1 000, etc. times smaller or larger than these. Some metric units of measure are spelt differently in British and American English: words ending in -metre and -litre in British English end in -meter and -liter in American English. The metric system is widely used in Britain, although older people may still measure things using the imperial system, and distances on road signs are still given in miles.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
Check pronunciation:
the metric system