ounce

¹ American  

[ouns] / aʊns /

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.

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ounce ² American  

[ouns] / aʊns /

noun

1. snow leopard.

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ounce ¹ British  

/ aʊns /

noun

1. another name for snow leopard

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ounce ² British  

/ aʊns /

noun

1.  oz.  a unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound (avoirdupois); 1 ounce is equal to 437.5 grains or 28.349 grams

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

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ounce Scientific  

/ 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

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ounce Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing ounce

• more bang for the buck (bounce for the ounce)

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Gold climbed back up above $5,000 an ounce on Friday before dipping below the milestone again.

From Barron's

Gold climbed back up above $5,000 an ounce on Friday before dipping below the milestone again.

From Barron's

The result was splendid—but only after I’d compensated for a carelessly omitted detail about when to add 10 ounces of grated cheese.

From The Wall Street Journal

In early trading, futures in New York gained 1.1% to $5,002.10 a troy ounce and are on track for a modest weekly gain.

From The Wall Street Journal

So with every ounce of bravery I possess, I meet his gaze.

From Literature