Fluidounce

/ˈfluːɪd ˌaʊns/ noun

Definition

A unit of volume measurement for liquids in the imperial and US customary systems, equal to about 29.6 milliliters.

Etymology

Compound of 'fluid' and 'ounce' (from Latin 'uncia' meaning one-twelfth). The term 'fluid ounce' was created to distinguish it from weight ounces, since liquids need volume measurement rather than weight.

Kelly Says

It's weird that a fluid ounce weighs different amounts depending on the liquid! A fluid ounce of water weighs about 1 ounce, but a fluid ounce of honey weighs much more. This is why cooks had to invent volume measurements separate from weight.

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