WordGarden.iomete
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈiːt/
US
- /ˈmɛtə/
Meanings
Verb
to give out or impose something, usually punishment
Beyond the definition
To mete something out is to give or divide it in measured amounts. It is most often used for things like punishment, justice, blame, or rewards. If someone is "meting out punishment," they are giving it in a controlled and deliberate way, usually as a person in authority. The word has a formal, old-fashioned feel and is more common in serious writing than in everyday conversation.
The verb mete means to give, assign, or distribute something in measured portions. In modern English, it almost always appears in the phrase "mete out." The idea is not just giving something, but giving it in a controlled, deliberate, and often official way. That is why the word is especially common in phrases like "mete out punishment," "mete out justice," or "mete out rewards." It often suggests that someone is giving what they believe is deserved.
The word can be used for physical portions, but that is less common today. In ordinary use, it usually refers to consequences, treatment, or judgment rather than food or objects. A court may mete out a sentence, a teacher may mete out discipline, or a story may describe fate as meting out hardship little by little. In all of these cases, the focus is on careful distribution, not on a sudden or careless act.
Mete now sounds formal and somewhat old-fashioned, so it appears more often in news reports, legal writing, historical writing, and literary prose than in casual speech. If you see it, think of measured dealing: someone in a position to give out punishment, justice, blame, or reward in portions that feel considered and controlled.
Examples
- 1
Legal punishment
The judge meted out a heavy fine to the company.
- Patternmete out + punishment
formally give or impose it
- 2
School discipline
Teachers should not mete out punishments in anger.
- 3
Political repression
The report accused the regime of meting out harsh treatment to political opponents.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- metenounverb
Forms
- metedpast tenseverbnoun
- meting-ing formverbnoun
- metespluralnounverb