variants
often L
plural l's or ls
ˈelz 
often attributive
1
a
: the 12th letter of the English alphabet
b
: a graphic representation of this letter
c
: a speech counterpart of orthographic l
2
: fifty see Table of Numbers
3
: a graphic device for reproducing the letter l
4
: one designated l especially as the 12th in order or class
5
: something shaped like the letter L
specifically
: ell entry 2 sense 1
6
1
lady
2
lake
3
lambert
4
land
5
large
6
late
7
left
8
length
9
[Latin libra]
pound
10
line
11
liquid
12
lira
13
liter
14
little
15
low
1
Lagrangian
2
long
3
loss; losses
1
ˌlē-(ˌ)vō,
ˌel,
ˈel
: levorotatory
l-tartaric acid
2
ˌel,
ˈel
: having a similar configuration at a selected carbon atom to the configuration of levorotatory glyceraldehyde
—usually printed as a small capitall-fructose
Examples of l in a Sentence
Noun
a word that starts with an l
a word that starts with l
Abbreviation (1)
The area of a rectangle is L x W.
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2026
A level greater than 250 nmnol/L roughly equates to a two-fold increase in heart disease risk, while a level above 430 nmol/L indicates a four-fold risk.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
French medical aesthetics brand Vivacy will introduce its Stylage L product line through the platform, while Daning Group has signed a strategic agreement with Shanghai Pharmaceutical Group to support global logistics services for beauty companies expanding internationally.
—Johannes Neubacher, Footwear News, 13 Mar. 2026
Popular forms include magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate, magnesium malate, magnesium oxide and magnesium L-threonate.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
Common forms found in dietary supplements, like sleep drinks, include magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate, magnesium bisglycinate, and magnesium L-threonate.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Mar. 2026
The clownish dance is a Fortnite video game gesture, and involves making an L shape with fingers, pressing it to one’s forehead, then high kicking from side to side.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Our best overall pair are the Canon 10x42 IS L WP binoculars for its good mid range magnification and 42mm objective lenses.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Larter's penchant for a strong Look (with a capital L) has been well-documented.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Diesel hot water is available, as is a 60-L Evakool fridge-freezer.
—New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2026
A level greater than 250 nmnol/L roughly equates to a two-fold increase in heart disease risk, while a level above 430 nmol/L indicates a four-fold risk.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
French medical aesthetics brand Vivacy will introduce its Stylage L product line through the platform, while Daning Group has signed a strategic agreement with Shanghai Pharmaceutical Group to support global logistics services for beauty companies expanding internationally.
—Johannes Neubacher, Footwear News, 13 Mar. 2026
Popular forms include magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate, magnesium malate, magnesium oxide and magnesium L-threonate.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
Common forms found in dietary supplements, like sleep drinks, include magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate, magnesium bisglycinate, and magnesium L-threonate.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Mar. 2026
The clownish dance is a Fortnite video game gesture, and involves making an L shape with fingers, pressing it to one’s forehead, then high kicking from side to side.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Our best overall pair are the Canon 10x42 IS L WP binoculars for its good mid range magnification and 42mm objective lenses.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Larter's penchant for a strong Look (with a capital L) has been well-documented.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“L.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/l. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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