What does meter mean?
Word: Meter
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Meter means a device that measures and records how much of something, such as gas, water or electricity, has been used.
Word origin: Formed in English from the old verb mete; the measuring-device sense is recorded from the early 1800s.
How do you spell meter?
Syllables: me - ter
Tricky part: British English has two words that sound exactly alike and differ only in their last two letters, and each has its own job, so read the whole sentence before you choose.
Watch out for: metter, meater
Memory tip: Before you write it, ask what the sentence is about - a machine that counts, or a length - and pick the spelling that belongs to that idea.
Meter in a sentence
Example 1: Zara's dad checks the electricity meter at the start of every month.
Example 2: The taxi meter clicked on as soon as we pulled away from the station.
Example 3: The parking meter outside the library takes both coins and cards.
Fun Fact
Coin-operated parking meters were first put up in Oklahoma City, USA, in 1935.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Twins
Choose the correct option to fill both blanks:
1. Grandma asked the engineer to read the water ___ in the garden. 2. The racing track ends with a final hundred-___ straight.
a) meter/metre
b) 'meter' in both
c) 'metre' in both
d) metre/meter
Show answer
a) meter/metre. A device that measures takes one spelling and a length takes the other: water meter, hundred-metre straight.
Sound Check
Which word does not rhyme with meter?
a) heater
b) better
c) beater
d) sweeter
Show answer
b) better. Better has the short e of bed; the other three share the long ee sound of meter.
Spell Probe
Choose the meaning of the misspelt word in the given sentence:
Before replacing the dripping valve, the plumber noted the reading on the water meeter fixed beside the kitchen sink.
a) a part that opens or closes to control the flow of a liquid
b) a person whose job is to fit and repair water pipes
c) a small instrument that keeps a running count of the water flowing through a pipe
d) a basin with taps, used for washing dishes and pans
Show answer
c) a small instrument that keeps a running count of the water flowing through a pipe. Meter has a single e before the t; the reading on it shows how much water has passed.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Zara's family notice that the electricity meter is moving much faster than usual. What does this tell them?
a) the power to the house has been cut off
b) the meter has been switched off for repairs
c) the monthly bill has already been paid
d) more power is being used in the house
Show answer
d) more power is being used in the house
2. What does a taxi meter keep track of?
a) the speed of other cars nearby
b) the number of passengers inside
c) the amount of fuel left in the tank
d) the distance travelled and the fare
Show answer
d) the distance travelled and the fare
