OU
Abbreviation with 4 meanings
| Stands for | University of Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 4 |
| Categories | Education & Academia, Medical |
OU has four meanings. The most common are University of Oklahoma (university) and Oculus uterque (each eye, both eyes) (medication route); it can also stand for Ohio University and The Open University.
Meanings of OU at a glance
| # | OU stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Oklahoma | Education & Academia › University |
| 2 | Oculus uterque (each eye, both eyes) | Medical › Medication Route |
| 3 | Ohio University | Education & Academia › University |
| 4 | The Open University | Education & Academia › University |
1. University of Oklahoma
Education & Academia · University Abbreviations
Public flagship university in Norman, founded in 1890, known for its Sooners football program, meteorology school and National Weather Center on campus. OU joined the Southeastern Conference in 2024.
Example: Storm chasers trained at OU's School of Meteorology work across Tornado Alley.
The Sooners have won seven national football championships, and their rivalry with Texas is played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The nickname refers to settlers who claimed land before the official start of the 1889 land run. OU also abbreviates Ohio University and the Open University.
2. Oculus uterque (each eye, both eyes)
Medical · Medication Route Abbreviations
Ophthalmic instruction meaning both eyes, used for eye drops and on glasses and contact lens prescriptions. ISMP lists it as error-prone because OU has been read as AU (both ears) and as "OJ" (orange juice).
Example: Artificial tears 1-2 drops OU QID PRN dryness.
Latin "oculus uterque", "each eye". ISMP recommends writing "both eyes" or "each eye". When drops are given in both eyes, waiting about five minutes between different medications prevents the second drop from washing out the first.
3. Ohio University
Education & Academia · University Abbreviations
Oldest university in Ohio and the first in the former Northwest Territory, founded in 1804 in Athens. Its Bobcats compete in the Mid-American Conference, and its E. W. Scripps School of Journalism is highly regarded.
Example: Many Ohio news anchors are graduates of OU's Scripps journalism school.
Ohio University is distinct from Ohio State University, a frequent source of confusion. It also has a college of osteopathic medicine with campuses around the state. OU more commonly means the University of Oklahoma in national sports media.
4. The Open University
Education & Academia · University Abbreviations
British distance-learning university, established in 1969 by Harold Wilson's government and based in Milton Keynes, which admits adults to most undergraduate courses without formal entry requirements. It is the UK's largest university by enrollment.
Example: She earned an OU degree in psychology part time while raising three children.
The Open University pioneered educational broadcasting through a long partnership with the BBC. Students study through printed and online materials with tutor support. In the US, OU usually means the University of Oklahoma or Ohio University.
Related abbreviations
More university abbreviations
- NU – Northwestern University
- NUS – National University of Singapore
- NYU – New York University
- OSU – Ohio State University
- PSU – Pennsylvania State University
- PVAMU – Prairie View A&M University
- RISD – Rhode Island School of Design
- RIT – Rochester Institute of Technology
See all 135 university abbreviations →
More medication route abbreviations
- OD – Oculus dexter (right eye)
- OG – Orogastric
- ophth – Ophthalmic
- OS – Oculus sinister (left eye)
- PCA – Patient-controlled analgesia
- PCEA – Patient-controlled epidural analgesia
- PO – Per os (by mouth, orally)
- PR – Per rectum (rectally)
See all 41 medication route abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.