ounce

¹

[ ouns ]

noun

1. a unit of weight equal to 437.5 grains or 1/16 pound (28.35 grams) avoirdupois.
2. a unit of 480 grains, 1/12 pound (31.1 grams) troy or apothecaries' weight.
3. a fluid ounce.
4. a small quantity or portion.

ounce

²

[ ouns ]

noun

1. snow leopard.

ounce

¹

/ aʊns /

noun

1. a unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound (avoirdupois); 1 ounce is equal to 437.5 grains or 28.349 grams oz
2. a unit of weight equal to one twelfth of a Troy or Apothecaries' pound; 1 ounce is equal to 480 grains or 31.103 grams
3. short for fluid ounce
4. a small portion or amount

ounce

²

/ aʊns /

noun

1. another name for snow leopard

ounce

/ ouns /

1. A unit of weight in the US Customary System equal to 1 16 of a pound or 437.5 grains (28.35 grams).
2. See Table at measurement
3. See fluid ounce

Word History and Origins

Origin of ounce¹

1350–1400; Middle English unce < Middle French < Latin uncia twelfth part, inch, ounce, derivative of unus one

Origin of ounce²

1300–50; Middle English unce lynx < Anglo-French; Old French once, variant of lonce (erroneously taken as l'once the ounce) < Vulgar Latin *luncea, derivative of Latin lync- (stem of lynx ) lynx

Word History and Origins

Origin of ounce¹

C14: from Old French unce, from Latin uncia a twelfth; from ūnus one

Origin of ounce²

C18: from Old French once, by mistaken division of lonce as if l'once, from Latin lynx

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with ounce , also see more bang for the buck (bounce for the ounce) .

Example Sentences

Jack Hartung, Chipotle’s former CFO turned president of strategy, finance, and supply chain, told Bloomberg in July that Chipotle customers would be given two hefty scoops of rice and four ounces of meat.

From Salon

Three ounces of seed will cover 400 square feet, a nice start to a beginning habitat garden.

From Los Angeles Times

Bat Conservation International, a nonprofit, has launched the Fat Bat Project, which seeks to help the furry mammals pack on the ounces before and after winter sets in.

From Los Angeles Times

Rookie Bo Nix threw touchdowns on consecutive drives, grasping for any ounce of momentum as the Chargers went three-and-out on back-to-back possessions.

From Los Angeles Times

“If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”

From Salon