Definition

Noun: 1. A unit of weight: A standard unit of mass in the avoirdupois system, equal to one sixteenth of a pound or approximately 28.349 grams. 2. A unit of volume (fluid ounce): A unit of liquid capacity, equal to one sixteenth of a pint in the US customary system (approximately 29.574 ml) and one twentieth of a pint in the British imperial system (approximately 28.413 ml).

Usage Examples

• Noun (Weight):
  • The package weighs 8 oz.
  • A standard chocolate bar is often 3.5 oz.
• Noun (Volume):
  • Add 6 fluid oz of milk to the mixture.
  • This bottle contains 16 fl oz of water.

Advanced Usage

• "oz." as an abbreviation: The word is almost exclusively written in its abbreviated form "oz." in modern English. The full word "ounce" is used in formal writing or speech.
  • The recipe calls for 4 oz. of cheese.
• Troy ounce: In precious metals like gold and silver, a "troy ounce" (abbreviated as "oz t") is used, which is approximately 31.103 grams.
  • Gold is traded per troy ounce.

Variants and Related Words

• Ounce (n): The full, unabbreviated form of "oz."
• Fluid ounce (n): Often abbreviated as "fl oz," specifically denotes the unit of volume.
• Pound (n): A larger unit of weight, equal to 16 ounces.
• Gram (n): The metric unit of mass; 1 ounce is approximately 28.35 grams.

Synonyms

• (For weight) There is no direct synonym, but it can be described as a small unit of weight.
• (For volume) There is no direct synonym, but it can be described as a small unit of liquid measure.

Related Phrases

• "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.": A common proverb meaning it is better to stop a problem early than to fix it later.
  • I got the flu shot because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
• "Fight for every inch/ounce": To struggle intensely for even a very small amount or advantage.
  • The boxer was exhausted but fought for every ounce of strength he had left.

Noun

1. a unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound or 16 drams or 28.349 grams