litre
LEE-tuh/ˈliː.təʴ/USLEE-tur/ˈli.tɚ/
Plurallitres
US spellingliter
- 1A metric unit of volume equal to 1,000 millilitres, often used for liquids, or an amount of that size.
Can you pick up a litre of milk on your way home?
This big bottle holds two litres of water.
UsageSay a litre of milk. The short form is l or L.
Note
Less common meaning
- 2A tree or bush that grows in Chile.
Use it in a sentence
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Origin
From French litre, which goes back to an Ancient Greek word for a Sicilian coin and a measure of weight.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- English litre comes from French litre. en.wiktionary.org
- French litre ultimately derives from Ancient Greek λίτρα. fr.wiktionary.org
- The Ancient Greek word denoted a Sicilian coin and a measure of weight. en.wiktionary.org