gallon

[ gal-uhn ]

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.

gallon

/ ˈɡælən /

noun

1. Also calledimperial 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

gallon

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallon¹

C13: from Old Northern French galon (Old French jalon ), perhaps of Celtic origin

Example Sentences

The facility in Carson, called Pure Water Southern California, is projected to cost $8 billion at full build-out and produce 150 million gallons of water daily — enough to supply about half a million homes.

From Los Angeles Times

By World War II, even as scientists were manufacturing gallons of phages to combat cholera, dysentery, and gangrene in Stalingrad and Leningrad, much the West had given up on phages.

From Salon

Wastewater treatment plants are designed to take in thousands of gallons of wastewater from sanitary and storm sewer systems, and that water also carries a significant load of microplastics and PFAS.

From Science Daily

Forest Service and other agencies each year drop tens of millions of gallons of fire retardant, mostly an ammonium phosphate-based slurry called Phos-Chek, around wildfires to coat vegetation and slow the spread of flames.

From Los Angeles Times

That meant finding ways to deliver 6 million meals, 2 million gallons of fuel and a million cases of bottled water to hundreds of bases and outposts — some reachable only by airdrop — each month.

From Los Angeles Times