Mēt'a-cēn'ter, n.

n. [Gr. μετά, beyond, and κέντρον, center.] (Hydrostatics.) The point of intersection of the vertical line passing through the center of gravity of a floating body when in its position of equilibrium, and a vertical line through the center of gravity of the fluid displaced, when the body is turned through a small angle from that position.

☞ When the metacenter is above the center of gravity, the position of the body is stable; when below it, unstable.