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

Its powerful jumpstarting capabilities can revive vehicles with gas engines up to 6 liters and diesel engines up to 4 liters. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

The truck carries a 200-L fresh water supply and holds 80 liters of waste water. — New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026

The Qingdao researchers collected seawater off the coast of Qingdao and processed 25 liters through a laboratory flow system rather than deploying the material directly in the ocean. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Aside from SealForce, the Roomba Max 875 cleans with an impressive 35,000 Pascals of suction and 20 liters per second of airflow. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 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