Pints
Abbreviation/Symbol:
pt
Unit of:
Worldwide use:
Pints are a unit of volume commonly used in the United States and the United Kingdom, but their usage extends far beyond these borders. In fact, pints are widely recognized and utilized in many countries around the world, particularly in the context of measuring liquid volumes.
In countries such as Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, pints are commonly used to measure volumes of beer and other beverages. Additionally, in some European countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, the pint is often used informally to refer to a large glass of beer.
Definition:
A US liquid pint is equivalent to 16 US fluid ounces, 1/8 of a US liquid gallon, 473.176 milliliters or 0.473176 liters.
A US dry pint is equivalent to 0.5506 liters or 33.6008 cubic inches.
One UK pint is equivalent to 20 fluid ounces or approximately 568 milliliters.
Origin:
The origin of the pint can be traced back to medieval Europe, where it was used as a standard measure for liquids such as beer and wine. The word "pint" is believed to have originated from the Old French word "pinte," which in turn came from the Latin word "picta," meaning "painted." This is thought to refer to the practice of marking liquid measures on containers with lines or other indicators.
Usage context:
Pints are a unit of volume commonly used in the United States and the United Kingdom. Pints are often used to measure liquid volumes of beverages such as beer, milk, and water. In the US, pints are commonly used to serve draft beer in bars and restaurants, with a "pint" typically referring to a 16-ounce glass. In the UK, pints are a standard unit of measurement for beer and cider, with pubs serving pints to customers in traditional pint glasses.