gallon

American  

[gal-uhn] / ˈgæl ən /

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 British  

/ ˈɡælən /

noun

1. Also called: imperial 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 Scientific  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of gallon

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

Compare meaning

How does gallon compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• gallon vs. liter
• pint vs. gallon

Example Sentences

Closer to home, many Americans are increasingly wary of higher prices at the petrol pump, which this week crossed the average of $4 a gallon for the first time in years.

From BBC

Millions of commuters are painfully aware that gas prices just hit $4 a gallon on average for the first time in more than three years.

From MarketWatch

Gas tax prices are soaring across the U.S. — currently above $4 a gallon on average — and lawmakers are naturally looking for ways to alleviate the pain at the pump.

From MarketWatch

When gas prices hit $4 a gallon in 2022 consumers started to pull back on their spending, and talked more seriously about changing their spending habits by possibly cutting back on commuting.

From MarketWatch

The cost of gasoline hit an unwelcome benchmark in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday as the average price per gallon officially reached the $6 mark, according to the American Automobile Assn.

From Los Angeles Times