Unit of measure

OZ medical abbreviation

OZ means "ounce".

On the ISMP List of Error-Prone Abbreviations. ISMP suggests: Use the metric system.

Each meaning matched at least two public references (4 in all for OZ), checked October 23, 2026. The table lists them.

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What OZ means

Example

Training example of an error-prone entry: "oz" on a label.

A made-up line that shows the abbreviation in place. It is not about any patient and is not an instruction.

Related abbreviations

  • MLmilliliter
  • TSPteaspoon
  • TBSPtablespoon
  • Lliter
  • LBpound
  • IUinternational unit

Elsewhere on Rivvi

Questions

What does OZ mean in medical terms?

OZ means "ounce".

Where is OZ used?

OZ shows up in prescriptions and charting. Its category here is unit of measure.

Is OZ on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list?

No, but ISMP lists OZ as an error-prone abbreviation. ISMP's suggested practice: Use the metric system.

Source: NCI Thesaurus, including CDISC SDTM terminology (NCI EVS); NLM SPECIALIST Lexicon abbreviations file (LRABR); Army Regulation 40-66, Appendix B: Authorized Medical Records Abbreviations; ISMP List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations (2024). Data as of October 23, 2026. Last updated October 23, 2026. How we source data. Spotted an error? Send a correction.

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