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Word

gallon

noun C1
/ˈɡælən/

Meanings

noun

a unit of liquid volume used mainly in the US and sometimes in the UK

gallon: a unit of liquid volume used mainly in the US and sometimes in the UK
noun

the amount a container holds when its capacity is one gallon

gallon: the amount a container holds when its capacity is one gallon

Definition

A gallon is a unit used to measure liquids.

A gallon is a unit of volume commonly used for liquids such as fuel, milk, or water. It is used mainly in the US and, in some contexts, in the UK. The exact size depends on the system: a US gallon is smaller than an imperial (UK) gallon.

Examples

  • I bought a gallon of paint because the walls needed two full coats.
  • You can pick up a gallon of milk on your way home if the fridge is empty.
  • He used almost a gallon of water rinsing the sand off his equipment after the dive.
  • She filled a portable generator with a gallon of fuel before the storm reached her area.
  • They measured a gallon of cider for the recipe to scale it up for the festival.

Common mistake

Learners often assume a gallon is the same size everywhere, but the US gallon and the imperial (UK) gallon are different.