First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1pound
noun \ˈpau̇nd\
plural pounds also pound
Definition of POUND
1
: any of various units of mass and weight; specifically : a unit now in general use among English-speaking peoples equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces or 7000 grains or 0.4536 kilogram — see weight table
2
a : the basic monetary unit of the United Kingdom —called also pound sterling b : any of numerous basic monetary units of other countries — see money table c : the basic monetary unit of Ireland from 1921 to 2001 d : 2lira e : the basic monetary unit of Cyprus from 1960 to 2008
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Origin of POUND
Middle English, from Old English pund, from Latin pondo pound, from abl. of pondus weight — more at pendant
2pound
noun
Definition of POUND
1
a : an enclosure for animals; especially : a public enclosure for stray or unlicensed animals <a dog pound> b : a depot for holding impounded personal property until redeemed by the owner <a car pound>
2
: a place or condition of confinement
3
: an enclosure within which fish are kept or caught; especially : the inner compartment of a fish trap or pound net
Origin of POUND
Middle English, enclosure, from Old English pund-
First Known Use: 14th century
3pound
verb
: to hit (something or someone) with force again and again
: to crush or break (something) into very small pieces by hitting it again and again
: to walk or run with heavy and loud steps
Full Definition of POUND
transitive verb
1
: to reduce to powder or pulp by beating
2
a : to strike heavily or repeatedly b : to produce with or as if with repeated vigorous strokes —usually used with out <pound out a story on the typewriter> c : to inculcate by insistent repetition : drive <day after day the facts were pounded home to them — Ivy B. Priest> d : to move, throw, or carry forcefully and aggressively <pound the ball down the field>
3
: to move along heavily or persistently <pounded the pavement looking for work>
4
: to drink or consume rapidly : slug <pound down some beers>
intransitive verb
1
: to strike heavy repeated blows
3
a : to move with or make a heavy repetitive sound b : to work hard and continuously —usually used with away
See pound defined for English-language learners
Origin of POUND
alteration of Middle English pounen, from Old English pūnian
First Known Use: before 12th century
4pound
noun
Pound
biographical name \ˈpau̇nd\
Definition of POUND
Ezra Loomis 1885–1972 Am. poet
— Pound·ian \ˈpau̇n-dē-ən\ adjective
Pound
biographical name
Definition of POUND
Roscoe 1870–1964 Am. jurist
POUND Defined for Kids
1pound
noun \ˈpau̇nd\
Definition of POUND for Kids
1
: a measure of weight equal to 16 ounces (about .45 kilograms)
2
: any of several units of money (as of the United Kingdom or Egypt)
2pound
noun
Definition of POUND for Kids
: a place where stray animals are kept
3pound
verb
pound·edpound·ing
Definition of POUND for Kids
1
: to crush or break into very small pieces by beating <The wheat is pounded into flour.>
2
: to hit with force again and again <He pounded his fist on the table.> <Waves pounded the shore.>
3
: to move with heavy and loud steps <Horses pounded down the track.>
4
: 1throb 2 <My heart was pounding.>
Medical Dictionary
pound
noun \ˈpau̇nd\
plural pounds also pound
Medical Definition of POUND
: any of various units of mass and weight: as a : a unit of troy weight equal to 12 troy ounces or 5760 grains or 0.3732417216 kilogram formerly used in weighing gold, silver, and a few other costly materials—called also troy pound b : a unit of avoirdupois weight equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces or 7000 grains or 0.45359237 kilogram—called also avoirdupois pound
Learn More About POUND
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