liter

noun

li·​ter ˈlē-tər How to pronounce liter (audio)
variants or
: 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.
In total, there are nine pockets, offering up to six liters of storage. Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2025 Small concentrations of substances like VOCs are measured in nanograms per liter — which is one billionth of a gram. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025 The Department of Energy has agreed to purchase three liters of helium-3 harvested from the moon no later than April 2029. Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025 With that money, the group was able to provide: 12.6 million liters of fresh drinking water. Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025 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 30 Aug. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on liter

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