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

Power for your next off road adventure starts with a 3.0 liter twin turbo EcoBoost V-6 gas engine with 405 horsepower with 430 pound-feet of torque. —Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2024

The limited-time 7UP Shirley Temple will be available in two sizes, 12-oz. cans and 2 liter bottles. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 27 Sep. 2024

Water is provided for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon; more than 20 liters of water per individual per day. —Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

My rule of thumb is 10 liters of space for every three hours of hiking, but REI also has this handy How to Choose a Backpack guide. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French litre, from Medieval Latin litra, a measure, from Greek, a weight

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

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