Definition of "metric system" [met•ric sys•tem]

• A decimal system of units based on the meter as a unit length, the kilogram as a unit mass, and the second as a unit time. See Table at measurement. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Adopting the metric system for computation of distances, weights, and quantities would simplify affairs for us just about as much as the invention of the Arabic system of numeration facilitated the business of making computations for the Assyrians and Babylonians."
• "At the opening of the present session of Congress, Representative Charles H. Dillon, of South Dakota, introduced a bill making the metric system permissive in this country until July, 1920, after which time it is to be compulsory and exclusive."
• "Centi- became ambiguous when the metric system came along: did it mean one hundred or one-hundredth?"