hectare

UK: ˈhɛktɛː | US: ˈhɛktɛr

Definition

  1. n. a metric unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters (approximately 2.471 acres).

Structure
hect <100>are <unit of area>hect <100>are <unit of area>
Etymology

hectare = hect<100> + are<unit of area>

  • hect<100>: From French hecto-, derived from Greek hekatón (ἑκατόν), meaning "hundred." Used in metric prefixes (e.g., hectogram, hectoliter).
  • are<unit of area>: From French are, from Latin area (open space), originally a metric unit of 100 square meters.

Etymology Origin:
Coined during the French Revolution (1795) as part of the metric system, combining Greek hecto- (100) with are (a base unit of area). The word reflects the metric system’s decimal logic: 1 hectare = 100 ares (10,000 m²). The are itself stems from Latin area, emphasizing measured land.

Examples

  1. The farm spans 50 hectares of fertile land.

  2. A hectare is roughly the size of a standard sports field.

  3. The wildfire destroyed over 300 hectares of forest.

  4. Urban planners allocated two hectares for the new park.

  5. Vineyards in this region average 30 hectares per estate.