Meaning & use
metered
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“metered” is a form of “meter”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Measured or charged by a device that records how much of something you use.
Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: a metered supply; compare an unmetered supply.
Patterns
- metered supply
- metered usage
Most houses here have a metered water supply.
We pay for metered electricity, so we watch our usage.
The metered parking in the town center costs two dollars an hour.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Limited or released in controlled amounts, such as a dose that comes out in a set measure.
Grammar: Often technical: a metered dose of medicine.
Patterns
- metered dose
She used a metered dose inhaler twice a day.
The garden has a metered irrigation system that waters at set times.
A metered flow of gas keeps the burner stable.
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of meter: measured or controlled with a meter.
Grammar: Takes an object: the company metered the supply last year.
Patterns
- meter something
The utility metered every apartment in the building last year.
Their usage was metered by a small device in the basement.
The pharmacist metered the drops carefully.
Word forms
| base form | meter |
|---|
Common combinations
- metered water
- Metered water encourages people to use less.
- metered parking
- Metered parking is free after six in the evening.
- metered dose
- The doctor prescribed a metered dose inhaler.
- metered connection
- A metered connection limits how much data you can download.
- metered usage
- Metered usage means you only pay for what you consume.
Synonyms and how they differ
- measured
- Measured is a general word for any amount checked, while metered points to a specific device recording use.
- gauged
- Gauged suggests estimating or judging a quantity, and is not tied to billing.
- rationed
- Rationed means deliberately limited because supplies are short, whereas metered only means measured.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: metered or metred? metered or metered/mitered?
metered vs metred
Metred is the British spelling used about poetry rhythm; it is different from metered, which is about measuring devices.
metered vs metered/mitered
Mitered refers to a joint cut at an angle, which is unrelated to measuring.
Practice
Our home has a ___ water supply, so the bill depends on how much we use.
Choose one answer.
Metered is the adjective meaning charged by usage as recorded by a meter. The other options are not adjectives that fit this sentence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “metered”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.