Met is the past tense of the verb “meet,” which means to come together with someone or something for the first time or after being apart.

When you meet someone new, you're encountering them for the first time. You might meet a new student on the first day of school, or meet your friend's parents when you visit their house. After that first meeting, every time you see them again, you've met them before.

The word also describes achieving or reaching something. When a runner crosses the finish line in the required time, she has met the qualifying standard. When students complete all their assignments and understand the material, they've met the expectations for the class. A factory that produces enough products has met its goal.

You'll also hear met used for encounters with situations or challenges. A team that faced a tough opponent met a worthy rival. Someone who experienced unexpected kindness met generosity.

The past tense matters here: met tells you something has already happened. “I will meet you tomorrow” is future, but “I met you yesterday” is complete, finished, done. That encounter or achievement is now part of history.