How do feet determine the metre of a poetic line?

In prosody, a foot is the smallest metrical unit of measurement, typically defined as a group of one stressed and one or more unstressed syllables. The metre of a poetic line is determined by the specific kind and number of these feet.1

The "kind" of metre refers to the rhythmic pattern of the feet used, such as the iamb, trochee, anapest, or dactyl. The "number" of feet in a line establishes its length, with specific terms used to describe the count:1
* Monometer: one foot
* Dimeter: two feet
* Trimeter: three feet
* Tetrameter: four feet
* Pentameter: five feet
* Hexameter: six feet

By combining these elements—for example, a line containing five iambic feet is classified as iambic pentameter—poets create a regular, recurring rhythmic structure. Through the process of scansion, these patterns are identified, revealing how the recurrence of feet organizes the sound of the verse.12