Boundary marker.
"The developer added a new meta tag to the code so the search engine would correctly identify the page's description."
Metagame; the most effective tactics and strategies used in a competitive video game.
Metoidioplasty.
An HTML element for webpage metadata, coded as meta or META.
In plain English: Meta is something that refers to itself or describes the system it is part of.
"The movie was famous for its meta scenes where characters talked about the plot itself."
Usage: In everyday conversation, "meta" refers to something that is self-referential or about itself rather than just describing external events. Do not use this term when talking specifically about the HTML code elements found on webpages.
Self-referential; structured analogously, but at a higher level.
"After analyzing the current meta, our team decided to switch to a build that dominates the ranked ladder right now."
Prominent in the metagame; effective and frequently used in competitive gameplay.
In plain English: Meta means something that is about itself or refers to its own context rather than the outside world.
"The meta discussion about the movie was just as interesting as the film itself."
Usage: In everyday language, describe an item or strategy as meta when it is so powerful that it dominates competitive play. Avoid using this term for general self-reflection unless specifically discussing game mechanics.
A city in Missouri.
"Our family reunion will be held next summer in Meta, Missouri."
The word "meta" comes from the Greek prefix meaning "after," "beyond," or "change." While originally used to describe things that come after, it has traveled into English as a shorthand for concepts like self-reference and data about itself.