Fl oz Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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fl oz

[flสŒษชd aสŠns ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

measurement unit

Fluid ounce is a unit of volume typically used for measuring liquids. It is equal to approximately 28.4 milliliters in the UK and 29.6 milliliters in the US. One fluid ounce is equivalent to 1/128 of a US gallon.

Synonyms

fluid ounce, fluid oz.

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Word Description / Examples
fl oz

Commonly used in informal writing and everyday conversation to refer to fluid ounces. Often seen on beverage labels, recipes, or casual discussions about measurements.

  • The recipe calls for 8 fl oz of milk.
  • This bottle contains 16 fl oz of water.

Examples of usage

  • Add 8 fl oz of water to the mixture.
  • The recipe calls for 12 fl oz of milk.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Measurement Systems

  • In the United States, a fluid ounce is defined as approximately 29.57 milliliters.
  • The UK fluid ounce is slightly different, measuring around 28.41 milliliters due to variations in measurement systems.
  • Experts note that understanding these differences is crucial for cooking and baking, to ensure recipes turn out as intended.

Culinary Usage

  • Recipes often use fluid ounces to provide accurate liquid measurements, such as for sauces, beverages, and soups.
  • Bartenders use fluid ounces when mixing drinks to ensure proper ratios of ingredients.
  • Food packaging typically lists the volume in fluid ounces to help consumers know how much theyโ€™re buying, particularly in the U.S.

Science

  • Fluid ounces are often used in scientific experiments to measure liquids precisely in laboratory settings.
  • In biology, researchers may use fluid ounces for measuring liquids like media used in cell cultures.
  • Knowing the conversion rates between fluid ounces and milliliters is beneficial for international research collaborations.

Everyday Life

  • Understanding fluid ounces is important when administering liquid medicines, especially for children and pets.
  • Drink containers usually indicate fluid ounces, helping consumers choose portion sizes accurately.
  • In many countries, knowing fluid ounces can help when adapting recipes from cookbooks or online sources that use the metric system.

Origin of 'fl oz'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'fluid ounce' originated from the Latin word 'uncia,' which means one-twelfthโ€”related to how ounces came to be used.
  • It first appeared in English laws in the 14th century as a measurement for wine and liquids.
  • The abbreviation 'fl oz' can often be found on food and drink labels to indicate liquid quantity.

The term 'fluid ounce' originated in the UK in the early 19th century as a standardized unit for measuring liquid volume. It has since become widely used in both the UK and the US, with slight variations in the exact measurement due to differences in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement. The abbreviation 'fl oz' is commonly used to denote a fluid ounce in written and printed materials.