pound

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpau̇nd

plural pounds also pound

: 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 Weights and Measures Table

: the basic monetary unit of the United Kingdom

called also pound sterling

: any of numerous basic monetary units of other countries (such as Egypt, Lebanon, Syria) see Money Table

: the basic monetary unit of Ireland from 1921 to 2001

: lira entry 2

: the basic monetary unit of Cyprus from 1960 to 2008

pound

2 of 4

noun (2)

: an enclosure for animals

especially : a public enclosure for stray or unlicensed animals

a dog pound

: a depot for holding impounded personal property until redeemed by the owner

a car pound

: a place or condition of confinement

: an enclosure within which fish are kept or caught

especially : the inner compartment of a fish trap or pound net

pound

3 of 4

verb

pounded; pounding; pounds

transitive verb

: to reduce to powder or pulp by beating

: to strike heavily or repeatedly

: to produce with or as if with repeated vigorous strokes

—usually used with out

pound out a story on the typewriter

: to inculcate by insistent repetition : drive

day after day the facts were pounded home to them

Ivy B. Priest

: to move, throw, or carry forcefully and aggressively

pound the ball down the field

: to move along heavily or persistently

pounded the pavement looking for work

: to drink or consume rapidly : slug

pound down some beers

intransitive verb

: to strike heavy repeated blows

: pulsate, throb

my heart was pounding

: to move with or make a heavy repetitive sound

: to work hard and continuously

—usually used with away

pound

4 of 4

Example Sentences

Verb Heavy waves pounded the shore. The metal is heated and then pounded into shape. He got frustrated and started to pound the piano keys. He pounded his fist on the table. The boxers were really pounding each other. Waves pounded against the side of the boat. The wheat is pounded into flour. Pound the herbs and garlic until they form a paste. He came pounding down the stairs. The horses pounded up the track. See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English pund, from Latin pondo pound, from ablative of pondus weight — more at pendant

Noun (2)

Middle English, enclosure, from Old English pund-

Verb

alteration of Middle English pounen, from Old English pūnian

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (3)

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of pound was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pound. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

pound

1 of 4 noun

ˈpau̇nd

plural pounds also pound

: any of various units of mass and weight

especially : a unit in general use among English-speaking peoples equal to 16 ounces (about 0.454 kilograms) see measure

: the basic unit of money of the United Kingdom

called also pound sterling

: any of several basic units of money (as of Egypt, Lebanon, or Syria)

: a coin or bill representing one pound

pound

2 of 4 noun

: a public enclosure for stray animals

the dog pound

: an enclosure within which fish or shellfish are caught or stored

pound

3 of 4 verb

: to crush to powder or pulp by beating

: to strike heavily or again and again

pound the piano

: to produce by pounding

pound out a tune on the piano

: drive entry 1 sense 1b

pound a nail

: to move heavily

the horses pounded along the lane

pounder noun

pound

4 of 4 noun

: an act or sound of pounding

Medical Definition

pound

noun

ˈpau̇nd

plural pounds also pound

: any of various units of mass and weight: as

: 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

: a unit of avoirdupois weight equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces or 7000 grains or 0.45359237 kilogram

called also avoirdupois pound