gallon

American  

[gal-uhn] / ˈgæl ən /

noun

1. a common unit of capacity in English-speaking countries, equal to four quarts, the U.S. standard gallon being equal to 231 cubic inches (3.7853 liters), and the British imperial gallon to 277.42 cubic inches (4.546 liters). gal.

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gallon British  

/ ˈɡælən /

noun

1. Also called: imperial gallon.  a unit of capacity equal to 277.42 cubic inches. 1 Brit gallon is equivalent to 1.20 US gallons or 4.55 litres

2. a unit of capacity equal to 231 cubic inches. 1 US gallon is equivalent to 0.83 imperial gallon or 3.79 litres

3. (plural) great quantities

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gallon Scientific  

/ găl′ən /

1. A unit of liquid volume or capacity in the US Customary System equal to 4 quarts (3.79 liters).

2. See Table at measurement

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Etymology

Origin of gallon

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English galo(u)n, gallon, from Old North French galon, derivative from base of Medieval Latin gallēta “jug, bucket,” of uncertain origin

Compare meaning

How does gallon compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• gallon vs. liter
• pint vs. gallon

Example Sentences

As long as we’re stuck with a version of CAFE, though, there is another change needed to eliminate a distortion: Stop averaging miles per gallon and start averaging gallons burned per thousand miles.

From The Wall Street Journal

With billions of gallons of cellulosic ethanol around, the auto industry would produce cars that could take a blend of 85% ethanol, leading to greater U.S. energy self-sufficiency.

From The Wall Street Journal

The previous February, 132 million gallons of black, sludgy water, heavy with mine wastes, surged through a makeshift dam and down a mountain hollow known as Buffalo Creek.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gasoline prices reached $2.89 a gallon on Tuesday, a level not seen since April 2021, because of increased supply and lower demand.

From Barron's

"Our results don't mean you need to give up coffee or start drinking tea by the gallon," says Associate Professor Liu.

From Science Daily