Pound

The pound is a term with several related meanings. In measurement, it is a unit of mass in the imperial and US customary systems. The common avoirdupois pound equals 0.45359237 kilograms and is divided into 16 ounces. A separate troy pound, used for precious metals, equals 373.2417216 grams and consists of 12 troy ounces. The word derives from the Latin libra, and the abbreviation lb comes from libra pondo. In everyday use, the avoirdupois pound is the standard for body weight and many goods in the United States and other countries.

The pound is also a currency unit. The British pound sterling, symbolized as £, is the official currency of the United Kingdom and several territories, subdivided into 100 pence. Banknotes and coins are issued by the Bank of England and other authorities. The term “pound” is used in other currencies as well, such as the Egyptian pound, Lebanese pound, and Syrian pound, each with its own exchange rate and monetary policy. Currency values fluctuate with markets and central-bank actions.

Other uses of the term include the animal shelter known as a pound, where stray animals are housed and available for adoption or reclaim. As a verb, pound means to strike or beat with force, or to pound something into a substance. In idiomatic English, “pound for pound” compares qualities on an equal basis. The word also appears in surnames and place names.