gallon

noun

gal·​lon ˈga-lən 

: a unit of liquid capacity equal to 231 cubic inches or four quarts see Weights and Measures Table

Examples of gallon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Each 27x14x15-inch bag has a 24-gallon capacity, can accommodate up to 100 pounds, and can be used for longer-term storage, too. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026

As the big rig and trailer were being towed from the area, officials said the truck was compromised, causing about 75 gallons of diesel fuel to spill and the westbound side of the freeway to close. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

The 2026 Sonata achieves 28 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

The vessel carries up to 2,800 gallons of fuel and has 1,000 gallons aboard, but there are no signs of a fuel leak, the release said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English galun, galoun, galon, a liquid measure, borrowed from Anglo-French galun, galon, jalon, from Old French jal-, base of jaloie "container for liquids, bucket" (going back to Vulgar Latin *gallēta, of uncertain origin) + -on, diminutive or particularizing suffix, going back to Latin -ō, -ōn-, suffix of persons with a prominent feature

Note: Presumed *gallēta (attested as Medieval Latin galeta "wine vessel, liquid measure" in 11th-century texts) has been linked to several classical Greek words for containers, as kálathos "kind of basket, wine cooler," kēlástra "milk pail" (so glossed by Hesychius), though none of these fit formally; on the other hand, kēlḗtēs, kalḗtēs "sufferer from a hernia" (from kḗlē, kálē "tumor, hernia"; see -cele) fits formally but requires a contextual and semantic leap ("one swollen or ruptured" > "container"?).

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gallon

• ten-gallon hat

Rhymes for gallon

• alan
• ballon
• talon
• concanavalin
• enkephalin
• trifluralin

Kids Definition

gallon

noun

gal·​lon ˈgal-ən 

: a unit of liquid capacity equal to 231 cubic inches or four quarts see measure

Medical Definition

gallon

noun

gal·​lon ˈgal-ən 

1

: a United States unit of liquid capacity equal to four quarts or 231 cubic inches or 3.785 liters

2

: a British unit of liquid and dry capacity equal to four quarts or 277.42 cubic inches or 4.544 liters

called also imperial gallon