liter

noun

li·​ter ˈlē-tər How to pronounce liter (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yes, gulping the liquid the night before was an ordeal — try drinking three liters of anything in three hours, going to sleep, then waking up six hours later for one final liter. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026 At 40 liters, the suitcase holds plenty of clothing for a solid three or four days but keeps us from overpacking. The Editors, Outside, 1 Feb. 2026 Away The Bigger Carry-on Flex Made with eight more liters of carrying capacity than the standard carry-on, The Bigger Carry-on Flex can hold up to 10 days of outfits, according to shoppers. Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2026 Last week Heathrow completed a massive security upgrade that allows travelers to keep their electronics in their bags and to carry liquids in containers with a volume of up to two liters, far more than the long standard limit of 100 milliliters. Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liter

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of liter was in 1797

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Liter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liter. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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
: 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

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