noun
liter
LEE-ter/ˈliːtər/
A metric unit of volume equal to one cubic decimeter.
The cube-shaped vessel holds one liter of water.
Etymology
Litra named a pound of weight, but its descendant named an older measure of grain capacity. That capacity measure supplied the name for the metric unit of volume.
In context
with the 500 mL and the one liter packages to follow in the years to come.
More examples
- She measured two liters.
- The bottle contained a liter.
- They calculated the volume in liters.
Forms
liter · liters
Similar words
- milliliter
- One thousandth of a liter.
- quart
- A different volume unit, slightly smaller than a liter in US liquid measure.