Words / B2

GAL-uh-n/ˈɡælən/

A gallon is a unit of volume in the imperial system: a gallon of fuel; miles per gallon. A UK gallon is 4.546 litres; a US gallon is smaller — classic trap. Quote fuel in gallons only if the source uses imperial, then convert to litres. Mix-up: gallon vs gallon as a brand; galleon (a ship). Do not write gallon when the paper asks for SI litres.

Meaning

A unit of volume in the imperial system (a UK gallon is 4.546 litres).

Examples

• “Quote fuel in gallons only if the source uses imperial, then convert to litres.”
• “Miles per gallon featured in the transport table, which is the imperial-economy sense.”

Good to know

a gallon of; miles per gallon; UK gallon = 4.546 L. Metric twin: litre. Trap: US gallon / galleon. Science, geography, and transport. An imperial volume unit, not a litre.

Near in meaning

pint, quart

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