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

To build muscle and accelerate progress, try adding hand weights, 2-liter bottles of water or a weighted vest to walks and squats. —Yolanda Harris, AJC.com, 28 May 2026

The ethanol gives the air a faint solvent edge, and every couple of years, thousands of liters are added to the tank and allowed to evaporate slowly. —Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026

The building captures rainwater and reuses greywater for vacuum-flush toilets, saving approximately 25 million liters of water annually. —Emanuel Gana, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Scott Goldstein, a fire chief with Cowlitz County, said Tuesday night that the tank still held about 90,000 gallons (more than 340,000 liters) of the volatile liquid. —ABC News, 27 May 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