deciliter

American  

[des-uh-lee-ter] / ˈdɛs əˌli tər /

especially British, decilitre

noun

1. a unit of capacity equal to 1/10 (0.1) liter (about 3.38 U.S. fluid ounces). dl

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Etymology

Origin of deciliter

From the French word décilitre, dating back to 1795–1805. See deci-, liter

Example Sentences

Young adults should be offered cholesterol-lowering medications if their LDL cholesterol is 160 milligrams per deciliter, according to the guidelines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

According to the California Department of Public Health, the average blood lead level for adults in the United States is less than 1 microgram per deciliter.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

There’s no safe level of lead exposure, but the CDC uses a marker of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with higher levels than most.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2023

Ms. Thompson, in her late 40s, has an LDL cholesterol level of 160 milligrams per deciliter, not high enough to make a statin imperative.

From New York Times • May 30, 2023

One of every four children tested in 1997 had levels of lead in their blood of at least 10 micrograms per deciliter — a sign of high exposure.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2023