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

Higher rates of lead were found since the fifth liter of water spent more time in the service line, which in some houses is still made out of lead, so more of those particles dissolved in the water, city officials have said. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026

The 55-liter version sports one internal pocket on the zip-top lid (the 100-liter has two) to keep smaller items like toiletries organized. —Drew Zieff, Outside, 17 Feb. 2026

As with regular vehicles, tourism cars can purchase only 20 liters of fuel. —Andrea Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026

Pima County Sheriff's Department via Reuters The FBI said the suspect was also carrying a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack in the video. —Alex Sundby, CBS News, 17 Feb. 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