pound
POWND
Pound (noun) means the main unit of currency in the United Kingdom, and a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (about 454 grams). Example: “The bag of flour weighs about two pounds, so please buy a bigger one.”
noun
1
The main unit of currency in the United Kingdom, and a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (about 454 grams).
"The bag of flour weighs about two pounds, so please buy a bigger one."
"The coffee cost three pounds fifty at the local café."
"She lost five pounds after cutting out sugar for a month."
2
A place where stray animals, or illegally parked vehicles, are held until claimed.
"Her car was towed to the pound, so she had to collect it after work."
"The council keeps stray dogs at the pound for a week before rehoming them."
"They found their missing dog at the local animal pound."
verb
1
To hit something repeatedly and hard.
"The baker pounded the dough with his fists until it was smooth."
"He pounded on the door until someone finally answered."
"Waves pounded against the rocks all night."
2
To beat strongly or throb, as a heart or head.
"After running up the stairs, I felt my heart pound in my chest."
"His head pounded all morning, so he took a tablet and rested."
"Her heart was pounding after the near-miss on the motorway."
How to use pound
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither British money, a unit of weight, or hitting/throbbing hard and repeatedly.
UK vs US
The pound (£) is UK currency; Americans use dollars, so "pound" there mostly means the weight unit or an animal shelter.
Common pairings
pound sterling
pound the table
heart pounding
dog pound
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Word forms
- Plural
- pounds
- Third person singular
- pounds
- Past tense
- pounded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bag of flour weighs about two _____, so please buy a bigger one.
Etymology
From Old English pund, from a Germanic borrowing of Latin pondo, "by weight" — the currency and the unit of weight share the same root.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for pound
See all rhymes for pound →Frequently asked questions
What does “pound” mean?
The word “pound” means the main unit of currency in the United Kingdom, and a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (about 454 grams). In plain terms, either British money, a unit of weight, or hitting/throbbing hard and repeatedly.
How do you pronounce “pound”?
“Pound” is pronounced POWND (/ˈpaʊ̯nd/ in IPA).
How do you use “pound” in a sentence?
Here is “pound” used in a sentence: “The coffee cost three pounds fifty at the local café.”
What is another word for “pound”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pound” include buffet.
What part of speech is “pound”?
Depending on how it is used, “pound” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pound” come from?
The word “pound” comes from Latin. From Old English pund, from a Germanic borrowing of Latin pondo, "by weight" — the currency and the unit of weight share the same root.
Is “pound” a common word?
“Pound” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “pound” have?
“Pound” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the main unit of currency in the United Kingdom, and a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (about 454 grams).
What is the difference between a pound as money and a pound as a weight?
As money, the pound is the main unit of currency in the United Kingdom. As a measurement, a pound is a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces, or about 454 grams. The two meanings share a spelling but are unrelated in use.
How many ounces are in a pound?
There are 16 ounces in one pound of weight, which is roughly 454 grams. This is the standard pound used for everyday weights in the United Kingdom and United States.
What is the difference between a pound and a kilogram?
A pound is a unit of weight equal to about 454 grams, while a kilogram is 1,000 grams. This means roughly two and a quarter pounds make up one kilogram.
What is a dog pound or car pound?
A pound in this sense is a place where stray animals, or illegally parked vehicles, are held until claimed. A dog pound holds lost or unclaimed animals, and a car pound holds towed or impounded vehicles.
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