liter

noun

li·​ter ˈlē-tər How to pronounce liter (audio)
variants or litre
: a metric unit of capacity equal to one cubic decimeter see Metric System Table

Examples of liter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With the liters of ink spilled over SMiLE, the story would be in danger of outweighing everything else if the music wasn’t so good. Will Ainsley, SPIN, 24 May 2024 In half of the brands tested, researchers found more than 1,000 pieces of microplastic per liter. Joseph Winters / Grist, Popular Science, 23 May 2024 The high-revving mill will have a displacement of 4.0 liters and come equipped with a pair of turbochargers. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 20 May 2024 In 2005, the Jewish Department of Shin Bet received intelligence about a plot to slow the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza by using 700 liters of gasoline to blow up vehicles on a major highway. Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for liter 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French litre, from Medieval Latin litra, a measure, from Greek, a weight

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of liter was in 1797

Dictionary Entries Near liter

Cite this Entry

“Liter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liter. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

liter

noun
li·​ter
variants or litre
ˈlēt-ər
: a metric unit of capacity equal to one cubic decimeter see metric system

Medical Definition

liter

noun
li·​ter
variants or chiefly British litre
: a metric unit of capacity equal to the volume of one kilogram of water at 4°C (39°F) and at standard atmospheric pressure of 760 millimeters of mercury

More from Merriam-Webster on liter

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