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Metre in Irish (Méadar): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘méadar’ also means: meter

The Irish for metre is méadar, a masculine noun (plural méadair).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “metre” in Irish

Irish:
méadar
English:
metre, meter
Word type:
noun
Gender:
masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:
“MAY-dur”  /ˈmʲeːd̪ˠəɾˠ/
Various forms
Plural:
méadair (metres)
Genitive singular:
méadair, an mhéadair (e.g. fad méadair, the length of a metre)
Genitive plural:
méadar, na méadar (e.g. céad méadar, a hundred metres)

What does “méadar” mean?

“Méadar” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

metre
A unit of length in the metric system, equal to one hundred centimetres.Also: meter, unit of length.
1 other meaning: meter
2meter
A device that measures and records an amount, such as electricity, gas or water used.Also: gauge, measuring device.

“Méadar” with the article

The plural of metre in Irish is méadair. Here is méadar after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an méadar
the metre
No change after an
na méadair
the metres
Plural: no change after na

“Méadar” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using méadar, the Irish word for metre.

Tá an seomra ceithre mhéadar ar leithead.
The room is four metres wide.
Rith sí an céad méadar go han-tapa.
She ran the hundred metres very fast.
Léigh an fear an méadar leictreachais inniu.
The man read the electricity meter today.
Tá an méadar gáis faoin staighre.
The gas meter is under the stairs.
Cheannaigh mé dhá mhéadar éadaigh sa siopa.
I bought two metres of cloth in the shop.
Tá méadair uisce nua á gcur isteach.
New water meters are being installed.
Chuir mé airgead sa mhéadar páirceála.
I put money in the parking meter.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Metre in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for metre?

The Irish for metre is méadar (pronounced “MAY-dur”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is méadair. Depending on context it can also mean meter.

How do you pronounce méadar in Irish?

Méadar is said like “MAY-dur” (IPA /ˈmʲeːd̪ˠəɾˠ/).

What is the plural of metre in Irish?

The plural of méadar is méadair; with the article, na méadair means “the metres”. The genitive plural is méadar, as in céad méadar (a hundred metres).

Does méadar have more than one meaning?

Yes. Méadar can mean metre or meter, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does méadar change to mhéadar?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhéadar. After ár (our) it stays ár méadar, because m does not take eclipsis.

How do I say 'kilometre' in Irish?

Use 'ciliméadar', built on 'méadar' in the same way as English; likewise 'ceintiméadar' for centimetre.

Does 'méadar' change after numbers?

Yes, with numbers it takes the singular form: 'dhá mhéadar', 'cúig mhéadar', 'céad méadar'.

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