What does milliliter mean?
A milliliter (mL) is a metric unit of volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter. It is also equal to one cubic centimeter, which makes it useful in science, medicine, cooking, and every setting where small quantities need precise measurement. The word is especially common in laboratory procedures, where measured amounts of solutions and reagents are combined. It also appears in recipes, nutritional labels, product specifications, and medical dosage instructions, including those for liquids such as medicine and injections. Although the term may sound technical, milliliter describes an everyday measure used whenever a quantity is too small or variable for a less precise unit. In American English, the spelling is milliliter; British English and many other varieties generally use millilitre. The abbreviated unit symbol mL is used in both forms, and in US typography it is written with a lowercase m and uppercase L, without a final period.
nounA metric unit of volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter, equivalent to one cubic centimeter.
- A metric unit of volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter and one cubic centimeter.
"The recipe calls for 300 milliliters of warm milk."
"The technician measured 50 milliliters of the solution."
"The medicine contains 5 milliliters per dose."
The standard plural in American English adds -s; millilitres is the corresponding British spelling.
"The two samples contained 10 milliliters each."
Milli- means “thousand,” so a milliliter is not merely small—it is precisely one-thousandth of a liter.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does milliliter come from?
The English word milliliter was formed in the 19th century by combining the Latin-derived prefix milli-, meaning “one-thousandth,” with litre, a unit of volume. Litre came into English from French and was ultimately borrowed from Ancient Greek litra, an old unit of weight and volume. The American spelling milliliter contrasts with the traditional British spelling millilitre.
Related word forms
How milliliter is actually used
Milliliter is the standard spelling in American English, while millilitre is standard in British English and many other varieties. The word is neutral in register and is used in both technical and everyday contexts. Its unit symbol is mL, written with a lowercase m and uppercase L and no final period.
Easily confused with milliliter
A milligram measures mass, whereas a milliliter measures volume; conversion between them requires the density of the substance being measured.
A millimeter is one-thousandth of a meter and measures length, while a milliliter is one-thousandth of a liter and measures volume.