Home US English meta-

Definition of meta- in English:

meta-

(also met-)

Pronunciation /ˌmetə/ /ˌmɛtə/

  • 1Denoting a change of position or condition.

    ‘metamorphosis’
    • ‘metathesis’

  • 2Denoting position behind, after, or beyond.

    • ‘metacarpus’

  • 3Denoting something of a higher or second-order kind.

    ‘metalanguage’
    • ‘metonym’

  • 4Chemistry
    Denoting substitution at two carbon atoms separated by one other in a benzene ring, e.g. in 1,3 positions.

    Compare with ortho- and para-

    • ‘metadichlorobenzene’

  • 5Chemistry
    Denoting a compound formed by dehydration.

    • ‘metaphosphoric acid’

Origin

From Greek meta ‘with, across, or after’.