Litre Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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litre

[หˆliหtษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

unit of volume

A litre is a metric unit of volume equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters or 1 decimeter cubed.

Synonyms

liter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
litre

Used in contexts referring to the international metric unit of volume, often seen in global scientific and technical discussions.

  • The carโ€™s fuel tank has a capacity of 50 litres
  • Scientists measured the liquid in litres
liter

Used primarily in American English and other countries that follow American spelling conventions.

  • She drank a liter of water after her run
  • They bought a 1-liter carton of juice

Examples of usage

  • The bottle of water contains 1 litre of liquid.
  • She poured half a litre of milk into the bowl.
Context #2 | Noun

British spelling of liter

A litre is a unit of volume in the metric system, equivalent to 1.76 pints.

Synonyms

liter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
litre

As mentioned, 'litre' is the standard spelling outside the United States.

  • The container holds exactly one litre of water.
  • I drink at least two litres of water every day.
liter

This is the American English spelling and is used primarily in the United States.

  • I need a liter of soda for the party.
  • The recipe calls for two liters of broth.

Examples of usage

  • She bought a litre of cola from the store.
  • The car's fuel tank can hold up to 50 litres of gasoline.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Litres are widely used in the metric system, which makes calculating volumes easier compared to older systems.
  • One litre of water weighs approximately one kilogram, simplifying conversions in science related fields.

Global Usage

  • Most countries in the world use litres for daily measurements, while the U.S. primarily uses gallons.
  • In cooking, ingredients are often measured in litres, especially for liquids like water, milk, and oil.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters might reference litres when discussing drinks or recipes, highlighting its everyday relevance.
  • Some popular health trends emphasize drinking a certain number of litres of water daily for wellness.

Environment

  • A litre of water can grow a small plant; understanding this helps in discussing water conservation.
  • Bottled water often comes in one-litre or larger sizes, raising conversations about plastic use and recycling.

Origin of 'litre'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the French 'litre', which itself originates from the Greek word 'litron', a unit of weight.
  • It was adopted into English in the late 19th century as countries standardized measurements.

The word 'litre' originated from the French word 'litre', which was derived from the older French word 'litron', a unit of volume. The metric system adopted the litre as a standard unit of volume in 1795. It has since become widely used around the world for measuring liquid volumes.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,421, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.