liter

noun

li·​ter ˈlē-tər 

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

Magui and Fede were moved from their 40-liter display case and into a 2,500-liter fish tank at Aga’s house. — Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

Beer lovers can order a half or full liter of German favorites, from the crisp Bitburger Premium Pilsner to the malty Warsteiner Dunkel, or a beer flight to sample all four pours on the menu. — Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 10 July 2026

If the water measures below 250 milligrams of ‘total dissolved solids’ per liter, that’s the green light. — Simon Heptinstall, New Atlas, 9 July 2026

Heavy rains that reached over a foot in some locations during the July 4 holiday weekend initially diluted nitrate levels, CIWW said, dropping them to 4 milligrams per liter in the Raccoon River. — Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for liter

• beater
• cheater
• dieter
• eater
• heater
• litre
• meter
• metre
• neater
• praetor
• seater
• skeeter

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

ˈlēt-ər 

: 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