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

In January, Di Cenzo had approximately two liters of fluid drained from her abdomen on three separate occasions. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 10 Aug. 2026

The government has rationed fuel sales, and on the black market a liter of gasoline sells for as much as $10. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

Unlike traditional laboratory-scale systems, the Evergreen-05 fits inside a five-liter enclosure roughly the size of a shoebox. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

The front of the skimmer has an impeller that sucks in debris and holds it in a removable four-liter basket with a screen that captures particles as small as 150 micrometers (uM) such as hair, sand, and dust. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 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