pounds
English meaning: Pounds
Definition
A unit of mass equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces (= 453.592 37 g). Today this value is the most common meaning of "pound" as a unit of weight.
Example
“The repair will cost several hundred pounds.”
Another example: “The puppy already weighs nearly ten pounds.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral; the plural of 'pound', a unit of weight (16 ounces) and also the name of the British currency (pounds sterling) and several others. Context distinguishes weight from money. Symbol £ for currency, lb for weight.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'pund', from Latin 'pondo' (by weight), related to 'pondus' (weight); the currency sense derives from a pound weight of silver.
Synonyms
- lbs
- quid
- sterling
Related Words
Common Collocations
- lose pounds
- a few pounds
- pounds of weight
- millions of pounds
- pounds sterling
- pack on pounds
Word Forms
pound (n & v); pounds (pl)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B