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

For tractors, that might be climbing out of a riverbed without tipping; for water, buying safe liters without waiting for a tanker; for milk, getting paid fast and fairly when documentation is imperfect. —Stephen Wunker, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Currently available for 27 percent off, the slim bag boasts more than enough space for spare clothes, toiletries, and in-flight essentials thanks to its roomy 31-liter volume. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025

Similarly, the High Roof with toilet offers 711 liters of storage, 180 liters more than the toilet-in-back pop-up Nugget. —New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2025

The researchers selected 16 undamaged teeth and 36 teeth with limited damage and placed them in two separate 20-liter water tanks for eight weeks with different pH levels. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025

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