# gallon

/ˈɡæɫən/ (US) · /ɡˈælən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gallon
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. unit of volume

noun · CEFR B1

a unit for measuring liquids. In the US, it is about 3.8 litres, and in the UK, it is about 4.5 litres.

For teachers: a unit of liquid volume. The US liquid gallon is defined as 231 cubic inches, whereas the imperial gallon is defined as 4.54609 litres.

- The car's tank holds about twelve gallons of petrol.
- With fuel prices rising, many commuters are calculating exactly how many miles they can get out of a single gallon of petrol.

Usage: Often used when talking about fuel or milk.

### 2. large amount

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a very large amount of a liquid.

For teachers: a large quantity of liquid, used figuratively in the plural to emphasise volume.

- We drank gallons of water after our long hike in the sun.
- The children managed to spill gallons of paint across the new carpet before anyone noticed what they were doing.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural form 'gallons'.

## Examples

- The car needs another gallon of gas to reach the city.
- After the long hike in the summer heat, the thirsty group drank gallons of cold water.
- Despite the engine's efficiency, the heavy load caused the truck to consume a gallon of fuel for every eight miles traveled across the mountain pass.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.