metrical mile: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Sports
Quick answer
What does “metrical mile” mean?
A unit of linear measure equal to exactly 1500 meters.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of linear measure equal to exactly 1500 meters.
A specific, non-standardised unit of distance used primarily in certain sports (e.g., track and field, swimming) to denote races over a 1500m distance, distinct from the statute mile (1609.344m) and the nautical mile (1852m).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, as it is a technical term. The spelling 'metre' is used in British English, 'meter' in American English, though the compound term is often standardised as 'metrical' in both.
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, limited to specific athletic commentary and historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “metrical mile” in a Sentence
[verb] + the + metrical milethe + metrical mile + [noun][adjective] + metrical mileVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metrical mile” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He set a new metrical-mile world record.
American English
- The metrical-mile event starts at 3 PM.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used, potentially in sports science or history of measurement.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in athletics/sports commentary, event naming, and historical discussions of measurement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metrical mile”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metrical mile”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metrical mile”
- Confusing it with the standard 1609m mile.
- Using it as a general term for any metric distance.
- Misspelling as 'metric mile' (which is ambiguous).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not an official SI unit. It is a compound term used primarily in sports to denote a 1500m race.
No, they are different distances. A statute mile is 1609.344m, while a metrical mile is 1500m.
It is almost exclusively used in the context of track and field athletics and swimming to refer to the 1500m event.
It is called a 'mile' because 1500m is the closest major metric distance to the traditional imperial mile, making it the metric equivalent for competitive purposes.
A unit of linear measure equal to exactly 1500 meters.
Metrical mile is usually technical / sports in register.
Metrical mile: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtrɪkəl ˈmaɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtrɪkəl ˈmaɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The mile of the metric system.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Metric' system uses metres, so a 'metrical mile' is a mile-like distance measured in metres (1500 of them).
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE between systems (The metrical mile bridges the gap between the familiar concept of a 'mile' and the metric system).
Practice
Quiz
What is the precise length of a 'metrical mile'?