Ounces
Abbreviation/Symbol:
fl oz
Worldwide use:
Fluid ounces are typically used to measure the volume of liquids, such as water, milk, or oil. This unit is commonly used in recipes, for measuring medications, and in the beverage industry to specify the volume of drinks.
Definition:
The US fluid ounce is equivalent to approximately 29.5735 milliliters or 1/128th of a US gallon.
The UK fluid ounce is equivalent to 28.413 milliliters, which is slightly larger than the US fluid ounce.
Origin:
The origin of the unit of measurement known as the ounce can be traced back to ancient Rome. The word "ounce" is derived from the Latin word "uncia," which means one twelfth. In the Roman system of measurement, an ounce was equivalent to one twelfth of a Roman pound, which was known as a "libra." This system was widely used throughout the Roman Empire and served as the basis for many modern units of measurement.
The fluid ounce can be traced back to the British Imperial System, where it was defined as the volume of one avoirdupois ounce of water at its maximum density.
Usage context:
In the United States, ounces are frequently used in everyday life for various purposes, including cooking, baking, and portion control.