In music meter refers to timing. The pace of the music, or the tempo is sometimes referred to as meter, but it’s more than that. In poetry meter refers to the cadence or the number and arrangement of syllables in the lines, which sets up the ‘feel’ of the poem. This aspect of meter also applies to music, so when we speak of meter we mean more than just tempo. In music meter is denoted by a time signature whereby beats are given values and the rhythmic quality or rate of repetition of the rhythm is determined by how many beats occur per measure, or before the rhythmic pattern repeats. Hearing the repetition is contingent upon stressing certain notes in one way or another, but usually by dynamic emphasis.
Of course meter can also refer to any number of different level meters used on audio equipment as well as test meters that may be used by technicians in the setup and maintenance of studio gear.