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

All in all, a task that once took nearly a year and required a large, specialized team can now be attempted at home for roughly the price of a two-liter bottle of soda. — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026

The fine print Whisky and liqueurs, two of Canada’s top alcoholic beverage exports to the US, are exempt from the ban when sold in containers larger than four liters. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

The price of diesel in Britain hit a record high of just under 2 pounds a liter on Monday, according to figures compiled by the Royal Automobile Club. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

The tent folds away on top of the cargo box below a weatherproof cover for the ride, and the trailer weighs in at just 705 lb (320 kg) before one starts filling up the 1,507 liters of storage space with boxes and supplies. — New Atlas, 29 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