gallon

noun

gal·​lon ˈga-lən How to pronounce gallon (audio)
: a unit of liquid capacity equal to 231 cubic inches or four quarts see Weights and Measures Table

Examples of gallon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There was also Crown Royal, a gallon of Grey Goose Vodka, Hennessy XO and boxed wine. Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025 On Monday, the U.S. average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.26, according to AAA. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Florida price at the pump Average: The average price for a gallon of gas in Florida on Monday, April 7, according to AAA, was $3.17, an 8-cent increase over last week. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025 Aldi wins in dairy (best prices for a dozen eggs, a gallon of milk and vanilla ice cream). Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gallon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English galun, galoun, galon, a liquid measure, borrowed from Anglo-French galun, galon, jalon, from Old French jal-, base of jaloie "container for liquids, bucket" (going back to Vulgar Latin *gallēta, of uncertain origin) + -on, diminutive or particularizing suffix, going back to Latin -ō, -ōn-, suffix of persons with a prominent feature

Note: Presumed *gallēta (attested as Medieval Latin galeta "wine vessel, liquid measure" in 11th-century texts) has been linked to several classical Greek words for containers, as kálathos "kind of basket, wine cooler," kēlástra "milk pail" (so glossed by Hesychius), though none of these fit formally; on the other hand, kēlḗtēs, kalḗtēs "sufferer from a hernia" (from kḗlē, kálē "tumor, hernia"; see -cele) fits formally but requires a contextual and semantic leap ("one swollen or ruptured" > "container"?).

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gallon was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Gallon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallon. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

gallon

noun
gal·​lon ˈgal-ən How to pronounce gallon (audio)
: a unit of liquid capacity equal to 231 cubic inches or four quarts see measure

Medical Definition

gallon

noun
gal·​lon ˈgal-ən How to pronounce gallon (audio)
1
: a United States unit of liquid capacity equal to four quarts or 231 cubic inches or 3.785 liters
2
: a British unit of liquid and dry capacity equal to four quarts or 277.42 cubic inches or 4.544 liters

called also imperial gallon

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