Feet
Abbreviation/Symbol:
ft
' (the prime symbol)
(Meaning ten feet can be symbolised as either 10 ft or 10')
Unit of:
Worldwide use:
The use of feet as a unit of measurement is primarily prevalent in the United States and a few other countries that have historical ties to the British Empire. In these regions, feet are commonly used to measure height, distance, and construction projects. However, the majority of the world has adopted the metric system, which does not include feet as a standard unit.
The foot is also used globally to measure altitude in the aviation industry.
The use of feet in countries outside of the United States and United Kingdom can sometimes cause confusion and difficulties when dealing with international measurements. This is especially true in scientific and engineering fields, where precise and accurate measurements are crucial. To ensure consistency and compatibility, many industries and professions have adopted the metric system as the standard unit of measurement.
Definition:
In 1959 the international yard and pound agreement (between the United States and countries of the Commonwealth of Nations) defined a yard as being exactly 0.9144 metres, which in turn defined the foot as being exactly 0.3048 metres (304.8 mm).
The foot is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, although it is still occasionally used in other countries as well.
Origin:
It is believed that the ancient Egyptians were the first to use the foot as a unit of measurement, as they used the cubit, which was equal to the length of a forearm, and divided it into smaller units, including the foot.The foot has been used as a unit of measurement throughout much of recorded history – including in Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire – and the origin of the name is generally accepted to relate to the average size of an adult, male foot (or possibly shoe). Originally divided into sixteen component units, the Romans also divided the foot into twelve uncia – the origin of the modern English term inch.
Over time, the foot became a widely used unit of measurement in various cultures. In ancient Rome, the foot was known as the pes, and it was divided into 16 smaller units called digits. The Roman foot was slightly longer than the modern foot, measuring approximately 29.6 centimeters.
The foot continued to be used throughout Europe for most of the last two thousand years, although national and regional variations were common. Depending on where (and when) the term foot was used, it could refer to lengths as small as 273 mm or as large as 357 mm.
The foot continued to be used throughout history, even as other units of measurement were introduced. In the 18th century, the foot was standardized in England, where it was defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. This standardization allowed for consistency in measurements and facilitated international trade and communication.
Today, the foot is still commonly used in countries that have not fully adopted the metric system, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. However, with the increasing globalization and the widespread use of the metric system, the foot is gradually being replaced by the meter as the preferred unit of measurement.
Common references:
An association football (soccer) goal is eight feet high by eight yards (24 ft) wide.
"Six feet under" is a euphemistic phrase for burial in a grave, or more broadly a dead person is sometimes described as being "six feet under".
"Five Feet High and Rising" (a reference to flood water) was used as a song title by Johnny Cash. De La Soul subsequently titled their 1989 hit hip hop album "3 Feet High and Rising".
Usage context:
Primarily used as an official unit of measurement in the United States. Canada also recognises the foot as an alternative unit of measurement (to standard metric), and the foot continues to be commonly used in the United Kingdom.
The foot is also used globally to measure altitude in the aviation industry.
Feet are also commonly used in the real estate industry to measure the size of properties and land. In this context, square footage is used to determine the area of a house or a piece of land. Similarly, feet are used in the manufacturing industry to measure the length of materials, such as pipes, cables, and wires.