Fahrenheit

This page is about the eponym Fahrenheit

Meaning

a temperature scale in which the boiling point of water (212°F) and freezing point (32° F) are 180 degrees apart (today used mainly in the USA)

For example

  • When you say it's 40 degrees outside, I hope you mean Fahrenheit.

  • Weather broadcasters in the USA report temperatures in Fahrenheit, not Celsius.

Origin: Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686-1736) was a German glass blower and physicist. He invented the alcohol and mercury thermometers and the temperature scale used with them around 1724. Fahrenheit created his temperature scale by taking two temperature points of reference (freezing water and boiling water) that were 180 degrees apart.

Quick Quiz

What is freezing point on a Fahrenheit thermometer?

a. 0°

b. 32°

c. 180°
a) 0° b) 32° c) 180°

Contributor: Tara Benwell