pint

noun

ˈpīnt How to pronounce pint (audio)
1
: a unit of capacity equal to ½ quart see Weights and Measures Table
2
: a pint pot or vessel

Examples of pint in a Sentence

The ice cream comes in pints. I'd like another pint, please. We'll all go for a pint after work.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Supermoon also happens to make some of the wildest gelato in the five boroughs, with pints of pandan & kaya jam, Thai iced tea, and strawberry yuzu matcha. — Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026 Louise was transferred to a neo-natal unit in St George’s Hospital, Tooting, London, away from her mother, who lost several pints of blood during the delivery. — Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026 Until then, though, a cracking atmosphere is about the best the Racecourse can offer visitors, along with a decent pint in The Turf and a quick getaway via nearby Wrexham General rail station. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 The Scotland invasion for the World Cup extended a large hand toward that financial aid, with their other hand gripping a pint. — Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pint

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pinte, from Middle French, probably from Vulgar Latin *pincta, feminine of pinctus, past participle of Latin pingere to paint; from the use of a painted mark on a container to show its capacity — more at paint

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pint was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing pint

Browse Nearby Words

pinstripe
pint
pinta
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pint. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pint

noun
ˈpīnt How to pronounce pint (audio)
1
: a unit of capacity equal to ½ quart see measure
2
: a pint container

Medical Definition

pint

noun
ˈpīnt How to pronounce pint (audio)
: any of various measures of liquid capacity equal to one-half quart: as
a
: a United States measure equal to 16 fluid ounces, 473.176 milliliters, or 28.875 cubic inches
b
: a British measure equal to 20 fluid ounces, 568.26 milliliters, or 34.678 cubic inches

More from Merriam-Webster on pint

Nglish: Translation of pint for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pint

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