What does taximeter mean?
A taximeter is a meter installed in a taxi to calculate the passenger's fare. It normally takes account of distance traveled and time elapsed, with waiting and rate changes reflected as applicable. In some jurisdictions, tariffs are regulated, so the device can be both an operational instrument and a protection against fare disputes. The word is most strongly associated with British English, although it is also established in US English; “taxi meter” is a common alternative. Taximeter should not be confused with an odometer: the former calculates what a passenger should pay, while the latter records how far a vehicle has traveled. Beyond taxis, the term may appear in discussion of historic cabs, fare regulation, and transport history. Knowing the word helps distinguish the vehicle from the instrument that determines the bill.
nounA device fitted to a taxi that calculates the passenger's fare, usually according to the distance traveled and the time taken, with waiting-time charges where applicable.
- A device in a taxi that calculates the passenger's fare from the distance traveled, time elapsed, and any applicable waiting charges.
"The driver glanced at the taximeter to see how much the journey to the airport would cost."
"The taximeter showed that the fare had increased after the taxi was delayed in traffic."
"Passengers watched the taximeter as the cab moved slowly through the busy city center."
The standard plural of taximeter.
"The museum displays several taximeters from historic taxis."
A taximeter is the taxi's built-in referee: it turns distance and time into a fare.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does taximeter come from?
Taximeter combines the element tax with -imeter, a suffix associated with Greek metron, meaning “measure,” and used in English for measuring instruments. The word entered English in connection with mechanically calculated taxi fares in the late nineteenth century. Taxi and taxicab are related later forms associated with the taximeter vocabulary.
How taximeter is actually used
The term has a formal or technical tone but is also familiar vocabulary for regular taxi passengers. The spelling "taxi meter" is a common alternative.
Easily confused with taximeter
An odometer records the distance a vehicle has traveled, whereas a taximeter calculates the fare payable for a taxi journey.