plural pounds also 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 Weights and Measures 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 (such as Egypt, Lebanon, Syria) see Money Table
c
: the basic monetary unit of Ireland from 1921 to 2001
d
e
: the basic monetary unit of Cyprus from 1960 to 2008
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
pounded; pounding; pounds
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Pound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pound. Accessed 16 Aug. 2025.
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