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

One prototype, Velum I, used approximately 9 liters of growth medium over roughly 24 hours. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

These are wells that produce 15 barrels (2,384 liters) or less of oil per day or 90,000 cubic feet (2,549 cubic meters) or less of natural gas per day over a yearlong period. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

Chestnut started out as 6-year-old OBSK bourbon, which was then put into 250-liter chestnut barrels made from Japanese wood that were toasted and charred to different levels for a period of five to 11 weeks. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2026

Inside, the 13-liter space easily handles my Trader Joe’s haul, from yogurts and kefir to frozen dumplings. — Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 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