liter

especially British, li·tre

[lee-ter]

noun

1. a unit of capacity redefined in 1964 by a reduction of 28 parts in a million to be exactly equal to one cubic decimeter. It is equivalent to 1.0567 U.S. liquid quarts and is equal to the volume of one kilogram of distilled water at 4°C. l

liter

/ ˈliːtə /

noun

1. the US spelling of litre

liter

1. The basic unit of liquid volume or capacity in the metric system, equal to 1.06 quart or 2.12 pints.

2. See Table at measurement

3. The basic unit of dry volume or capacity in the metric system, equal to 0.90 quart or 1.82 pint.

4. See Table at measurement

Word History and Origins

Origin of liter¹

1800–10; < French litre, back formation from litron an old measure of capacity, derivative (with -on noun suffix) of Medieval Latin litra < Greek lítra pound

Example Sentences

How much oil leaks in a fume event can range from small droplets to liters.

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Southern Water believes Conholt was using a million liters daily in early September, said people familiar with its findings.

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“They gave me liters of IV, food and warm blankets,” he said.

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The Stokes Twins took viewers to Nepal to help build a 15,000‑liter water tank.

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Some suggest one liter of water for every two hours you’ll hike, while others say it’s one liter of water for every five miles you’re traveling.

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