pint

noun

ˈpīnt 

1

: a unit of capacity equal to ¹/₂ 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

For the type of person who will spend $50 on a sampler of Portuguese sardines despite having never previously touched the domestic cans, the next logical step may be to fill the freezer with $10 pints of craft ice cream or $22 sourdough pizza. —Meghan McCarron, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025

After the song, the Monday Night Countdown host chugged his pint of beer in epic fashion as fellow patrons cheered him on. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025

English soccer fans have their pints and pubs, but the tailgate is a uniquely American ritual. —Frank Langfitt, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025

The next best thing is buying a pint of one of the four new sundae flavors. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing pint

• half-pint
• pint-size
• pint-sized

Kids Definition

pint

noun

ˈpīnt 

1

: a unit of capacity equal to ½ quart see measure

2

: a pint container

Medical Definition

pint

noun

ˈpīnt 

: 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