The stere or stère (st) is a unit of volume in the original metric system equal to one cubic metre. The stere is typically used for measuring large quantities of firewood or other cut wood,[1] while the cubic meter is used for uncut wood.[2] The name was coined from the Greek στερεός stereós, "solid", in 1795 in France as a metric analogue to the cord. The unit was introduced to remove regional disparities of this former unit, for which the length could vary greatly from 6 to 13.5 m. It is not part of the modern metric system (SI) and is no longer a legal unit in France, but remains used in the commerce of firewood.
- ^ Thierry Thomasset. "Le stère" (PDF). Tout sur les unités de mesure [All about the units of measure] (in French). Université de Technologie de Compiègne. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ For example:"Rough guide to calculating timber volumes" (PDF). Forestry Commission.