pound

The main unit of money in Britain, equal to one hundred pence.

• This pen costs one pound.
• I paid twenty pounds for the book.
• The pound rose against the dollar today.

Similar words: sterling, quid

Common phrases: one pound, pound sterling, pound coin

A unit for measuring weight, equal to sixteen ounces or about half a kilogram.

• The bag weighs one pound.
• She lost five pounds last month.
• How much is the beef per pound?

How to use it: a pound of something (We bought a pound of cheese.)

Similar words: lb

Common phrases: pound of something, half a pound, per pound

The name of the # sign, especially on a telephone keypad.

• Press pound to finish.
• Enter your code, then press the pound key.
• The pound sign is printed below the number nine.

Similar words: hash, number sign

Common phrases: pound key, pound sign, press pound

If your heart or head does this, you feel strong, repeated beats inside it.

• My heart began to pound.
• His head pounded after the sleepless night.
• Her heart was pounding as she opened the results.

How to use it: pound with something (Her heart pounded with excitement.)

Similar words: throb, race

Common phrases: heart pound, head pound, pound with fear

To hit something hard, often many times.

• He pounded the table angrily.
• Rain pounded on the roof all night.
• Someone is pounding at the front door.

How to use it: pound on/at something (Someone was pounding at the door.)

Similar words: hammer, beat, batter

Common phrases: pound the table, pound on something, pound someone's chest

To break something into small pieces or powder by hitting it repeatedly.

• Pound the garlic gently.
• She pounded the spices into powder.
• Use a heavy pestle to pound the grains.

How to use it: pound something into something (Pound the nuts into a thick paste.)

Similar words: crush, pulverize

Common phrases: pound the spices, pound into powder, pound the garlic

To eat or drink something very quickly.

• He pounded a beer.
• They were pounding drinks before the concert.
• She pounded a burger and rushed back to work.

Similar words: wolf down, chug, guzzle

Common phrases: pound a beer, pound some drinks, pound a burger