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 whiskey must be distilled to no more than 160 proof, matured in oak barrels no larger than 700 liters and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Some 10 billion liters of black market fuel were seized at that time in Tamaulipas. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 According to the companies, the system should reduce diesel consumption by over 500,000 liters annually and cut Scope 1 emissions by 40 percent compared with MV Accolade II. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026 One recent study found nearly 250,000 plastic particles in a liter of bottled water. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for liter

See All Rhymes for liter

Browse Nearby Words

-lite
liter
literacy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Liter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liter. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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 How to pronounce liter (audio)
: 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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