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

This includes the avoidance of: Dehydration: Drink at least 2.5 liters (10 cups) of fluid per day to prevent kidney stone formation.323 High-oxalate foods: Limit your intake of foods like spinach, chard, rhubarb, beets, bran, chocolate, and nuts. —Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025

The standard engine is a 2.3 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder that produces 300 horsepower. —Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025

Last month, a dam collapse at a Chinese-run copper mine in Zambia released acid runoff into a river basin relied on by 20 million people, killing wildlife and dumping tens of millions of liters of waste. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025

With all three rows of seats in place, the luggage space in the back is a hatchback-like 306 liters. —James Morris, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

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