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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
About 10%, or 80,000, of the state’s private wells fail to meet the state drinking water standard of 10 milligrams per liter. Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025 The dust bag in the base station has a 3-liter capacity. Loz Blain september 20, New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025 The resort runs on 100% green power, has reduced its carbon footprint by 46%, and conserves millions of liters of water annually through advanced recycling and reduction measures. Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 These measures, combined with hybrid vehicles, allowed the production to avoid over 50,000 liters of fuel. Thr Staff, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liter

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Liter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liter. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

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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