gallon

noun

gal·​lon ˈga-lən 

: a unit of liquid capacity equal to 231 cubic inches or four quarts see Weights and Measures Table

Examples of gallon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Charlotte Water is currently only allowed to transfer up to 33 million gallons of water daily. — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026

Ryan McCrory, a fire captain on the Hawk, said the copters can hold 1,000 gallons of water, and have increased speed over previous copters in flying to dips. — Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026

Even the modest changes this reprieve has allowed—at roughly three voyages every two days—have added up to tens of millions of gallons of domestic oil staying in the country instead of going overseas. — James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

To make a foliar spray with baking soda, mix 1½ tablespoons of baking soda and 3 tablespoons of organic horticultural oil or vegetable oil in a gallon of water. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English galun, galoun, galon, a liquid measure, borrowed from Anglo-French galun, galon, jalon, from Old French jal-, base of jaloie "container for liquids, bucket" (going back to Vulgar Latin *gallēta, of uncertain origin) + -on, diminutive or particularizing suffix, going back to Latin -ō, -ōn-, suffix of persons with a prominent feature

Note: Presumed *gallēta (attested as Medieval Latin galeta "wine vessel, liquid measure" in 11th-century texts) has been linked to several classical Greek words for containers, as kálathos "kind of basket, wine cooler," kēlástra "milk pail" (so glossed by Hesychius), though none of these fit formally; on the other hand, kēlḗtēs, kalḗtēs "sufferer from a hernia" (from kḗlē, kálē "tumor, hernia"; see -cele) fits formally but requires a contextual and semantic leap ("one swollen or ruptured" > "container"?).

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gallon

• ten-gallon hat

Rhymes for gallon

• alan
• ballon
• talon
• concanavalin
• enkephalin
• trifluralin

Kids Definition

gallon

noun

gal·​lon ˈgal-ən 

: a unit of liquid capacity equal to 231 cubic inches or four quarts see measure

Medical Definition

gallon

noun

gal·​lon ˈgal-ən 

1

: a United States unit of liquid capacity equal to four quarts or 231 cubic inches or 3.785 liters

2

: a British unit of liquid and dry capacity equal to four quarts or 277.42 cubic inches or 4.544 liters

called also imperial gallon