1 mete | Definition of mete

mete

verb
\ ˈmēt How to pronounce mete (audio) \
meted; meting

Definition of mete

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to give out by measure : dole out She realized the stern retribution which justice metes to the murderer.— Edgar Rice Burroughs usually used with out mete out punishment
2 archaic : measure

mete

noun

Definition of mete (Entry 2 of 2)

: boundary metes and bounds

Examples of mete in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Some even allow for their daughters to mete out physical punishments. Anna North, Vox, "How white women’s “investment” in slavery has shaped America today," 19 Aug. 2019 There is some belief that the name originated because crows would sit in judgement of each other and on occasion mete out the ultimate punishment, but nothing in science, biology or bird study gives credence to the tale. Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Did San Ramon crows murder a friend, or did they just not like him?," 24 June 2019 Tyrion describes his memories of Orson's beetle genocide in vivid detail, unable to understand why anyone would mete out so much violence for no apparent reason. Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Game of Thrones' Podcast: Smashing Back Into "The Mountain and the Viper"," 11 July 2018 The victims of a New York road rage incident last week say their attackers were attempting to mete out vigilante justice — but chose the wrong targets, and yelled racial slurs at them. Jared Gilmour, miamiherald, "‘We are the white supremacists:’ NY drivers hit black family’s SUV with frying pan, witnesses say | Miami Herald," 17 May 2018 The Bias Response Team is there, ready to investigate and mete out justice. Jillian Kay Melchior, WSJ, "The Bias Response Team Is Watching," 8 May 2018 Finally, Bandes explains, the statements leave judges wondering whether, for example, they are supposed to mete out a more severe punishment on behalf of the rape victim who gives a more compelling statement. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, "The Rise of the Victims’-Rights Movement," 14 May 2018 On the latter, Pompeo has advocated more punitive actions than the president has been willing to mete out. Karoun Demirjian, BostonGlobe.com, "Senate confirms Mike Pompeo as Trump’s next secretary of state," 26 Apr. 2018 On the latter, Pompeo has advocated more punitive actions than the president has been willing to mete out. The Washington Post, NOLA.com, "Senate confirms Mike Pompeo as secretary of state," 26 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

It has not yet been snared in a catalog of designations and coordinates, of metes and bounds. Barry Lopez, Harper's magazine, "Polar Light," 10 Jan. 2019 It has not yet been snared in a catalog of designations and coordinates, of metes and bounds. Barry Lopez, Harper's magazine, "Polar Light," 10 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mete.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of mete

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for mete

Verb

Middle English, from Old English metan; akin to Old High German mezzan to measure, Latin modus measure, Greek medesthai to be mindful of

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin meta

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for mete

mete

verb
\ ˈmēt How to pronounce mete (audio) \
meted; meting

Kids Definition of mete

: to distribute as deserved The judge will mete out punishment.

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on mete

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with mete

Spanish Central: Translation of mete

Nglish: Translation of mete for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mete for Arabic Speakers