hectare: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Technical, Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “hectare” mean?
A unit of area in the metric system equal to 10,000 square meters, or approximately 2.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of area in the metric system equal to 10,000 square meters, or approximately 2.471 acres.
Used to measure land area, especially in agriculture, forestry, real estate, and planning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differs slightly. The spelling is the same.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both regions.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English, though the metric system is less pervasive in everyday US life. Still standard in scientific, agricultural, and international contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hectare” in a Sentence
NUM hectare(s) of NOUNan area of NUM hectare(s)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in real estate listings and agricultural commodity reports ('The farm comprises 50 hectares of arable land').
Academic
Standard unit in environmental science, geography, and agricultural studies ('Deforestation proceeded at 1000 hectares per year').
Everyday
Used when discussing property size or garden allotments in metric-using countries ('My uncle bought a 2-hectare plot').
Technical
Precise measurement in land surveying, forestry, and urban planning.
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hectare”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hectare”
- Incorrect pluralization ('hectars'). Incorrect pronunciation ('heck-tar' without the second syllable). Confusing with 'hector' (to bully).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
British: /ˈhɛk.tɛər/ (HEK-tair). American: /ˈhɛk.tɛr/ (HEK-tare).
Yes. It is part of the International System of Units (SI) for measuring area.
A hectare is a metric unit equal to 10,000 square meters. An acre is an imperial unit equal to about 4,047 square meters. One hectare is approximately 2.471 acres.
No, 'hectare' is strictly a noun. It does not have standard verb or adjective forms.
A unit of area in the metric system equal to 10,000 square meters, or approximately 2.
Hectare is usually technical, formal, academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none directly associated with the word)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HECTARE' = 'HECT-' (like hectogram, meaning hundred) + 'ARE' (a metric unit of area). It's a hundred ares (an are is 100 sq m). So, 100 x 100 = 10,000 square meters.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAND IS A COMMODITY (measured in standardized units for trade and valuation).
Practice
Quiz
What is the approximate equivalent of one hectare in acres?