liter

noun

li·​ter ˈlē-tər How to pronounce liter (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The recall includes both 4-liter (approximately $30) and 10-liter (approximately $60) models in various colors (pink, white, aqua, hot pink), manufactured before August 2024. Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 Maybach’s 4-liter twin-turbo V8 is built on AMG’s one-man/one-engine niche assembly line. Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025 The 4-liter model sold for about $30, and the 10-liter model sold for about $60. Greta Cross, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025 Producing traditional paper destroys trees and is resource-intensive, requiring up to 13 liters of water for every page made. Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liter

Word History

Etymology

French litre, from Medieval Latin litra, a measure, from Greek, a weight

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of liter was in 1797

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Liter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liter. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on liter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!