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

Inside, the 13-liter space easily handles my Trader Joe’s haul, from yogurts and kefir to frozen dumplings. — Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

The government’s checklist recommends three liters of drinking water per person per day. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026

For every liter of freshwater produced, a typical seawater desalination plant sends about a liter and a half of salty brine back to the sea. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Its Thailand plant is equipped with commercial fermenters holding more than 100,000 liters each. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 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