pound

1 /paUnd/ noun

1 WEIGHT written abbreviation lb (C) a unit for measuring weight, equal to 16 ounces or about 0.454 kilograms: a pound of apples | Moira weighs about 130 pounds. | The grapes cost $2 a pound.

2 MONEY (C)

a) written abbreviation - the standard unit of money in Britain, which is divided into 100 pence: a five pound note | They spent over a thousand pounds on their holiday. | a multi-million pound business

b) the standard unit of money in various other countries, such as Egypt and the Sudan

c) a coin or note worth this amount: Can you change a pound?

3 the pound the value of British money in relation to the money of other countries: There was pressure on the pound in the foreign exchange markets.

4 PLACE (C) a place where lost dogs and cats, or cars that have been illegally parked, are kept until the owner claims them

5 a quarter/half pounder a hamburger with a quarter or half pound of meat in it: a quarter-pounder with cheese

6 get your pound of flesh to get something that is legally yours from someone, even though it makes them suffer and you do not really need it: merciless creditors, demanding their pound of flesh

7 a 3-pounder/24-pounder etc

a) animal, or fish that weighs 3 pounds, 24 pounds etc

b) a gun that fires a shell 1 (2) that weighs 3 pounds, 24 pounds etc

2 verb

1 HIT (I, T) to hit something several times, making a lot of noise

(+ against/on): A heavy sea pounded against the pier. | pound sth: Thomas pounded the door with his fist.

2 MOVE (intransitive always + adv/prep) to walk or run quickly with heavy, loud steps

(+ along/through/down): He pounded up the stairs in front of her.

3 HEART (I) if your hearts pounds, it beats very quickly: Patrick rushed to the door, his heart pounding with excitement.

4 BREAK (T) to hit something many times with a tool in order to break it into pieces or make it flat: Pound the almonds and mix with breadcrumbs.

5 MUSIC also pount out, pound away (T) to play music loudly by hitting your piano, drum etc very hard: Mrs. Jones pounded out the hymns on the old piano.

6 ARMY (T) to attack a place continuously for a long time with bombs or shells (shell1 (2)): Enemy forces have been pounding the city for over two months.

7 pound the beat BrE if a policeman pounds the beat, he walks regularly around the area he is responsible for