Pounds
Abbreviation/Symbol:
lb
lbm (pound-mass – scientific)
Worldwide use:
The pound is a unit of weight commonly used in the United States and a few other countries such as U.K., Australia, Canada and New Zealand, but it is not widely used worldwide. In fact, the majority of countries around the world have adopted the metric system, which uses the kilogram as the standard unit of weight. This means that pounds are not commonly used or recognized in most parts of the world.
Definition:
The imperial (avoirdupois, or international) pound is officially defined as 453.59237 grams.
Origin:
The name pound is an adaptation of the Latin phrase libra pondo, or a pound weight, the Roman libra (hence the symbol lb) weighed approximately 329 grammes.
Throughout history the pound (or its local translation) has been used as a measurement of weight in many different parts of the world, including The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Scandinavia and Russia. Although the exact mass defined as a pound has varied from system to system, they have been broadly similar, usually between 350 and 560 metric grammes.
In the UK numerous different systems using the pound have co-existed, although the avoirdupois pound (also known as the wool pound) has been the most commonly used and long-lasting (abbreviated to lb av or lb avdp). One variation still used today is the Troy pound (approx. 373g), most often as a mass measurement for precious metals.
The UK Weights and Measures Act of 1878 first defined the imperial pound in terms of metric units (1lb = 453.59265g) , and in 1893 the Mendenhall Order defined the United States pound by describing a kilogram as equivalent to 2.20462 pounds.
The United States and countries of the Commonwealth of Nations agreed common definitions for the pound (and the yard) that were adopted in 1959 (UK 1964).
Common references:
In English-speaking countries a person's weight is commonly expressed in stones and pounds, although in the United States this is usually expressed purely in pounds.
In the UK and Ireland, foodstuffs commonly sold by the pound prior to the adoption of the metric system are still sold in quantities equivalent to the old imperial standard, such as butter, which is most usually sold in 454g
Anglers will often express the size of a fish caught in terms of pounds and ounces.
Shakespeare's character Shylock famously asked for "a pound of flesh" as assured security for a loan.
Usage context:
Pounds, commonly abbreviated as "lb," is a unit of weight or mass primarily used in the United States and a few other countries that have adopted the imperial system of measurement. The usage context of pounds can be found in various aspects of everyday life, ranging from personal weight measurements to commercial transactions and industrial applications.
One of the most common usage contexts of pounds is in measuring body weight. In the United States, people often refer to their weight in pounds, whether it's for personal health tracking or discussing weight loss goals. Additionally, pounds are used in the fitness industry to measure the weight of dumbbells, barbells, and other exercise equipment.
Pounds also play a significant role in commercial transactions, particularly in the sale of goods. In the United States, products are often labeled with their weight in pounds, allowing consumers to easily understand the quantity they are purchasing. This is especially true for food items, where pounds are used to measure ingredients, portions, and packaging sizes. In industrial applications, pounds are commonly used to measure the weight of materials, such as metals, chemicals, and construction materials. This is particularly important in sectors like manufacturing, engineering, and logistics, where precise weight measurements are necessary for quality control, transportation, and inventory management.