pound
word
Definition
As a noun, 'pound' can mean a unit of weight or the currency used in the UK and some other countries. As a verb, it means to hit something hard many times or to crush something into small pieces.
Usage & Nuances
Context is very important. In everyday English, 'pound' commonly means weight in American contexts and money in British contexts. As a verb, it often appears in phrases like 'pound on the door' and 'pound garlic into a paste'. Do not confuse it with 'pound' meaning an animal shelter, which is a separate noun use.
Example Sentences
The baby weighs eight pounds.
basic
I need twenty pounds for the train ticket.
basic
They pounded the rice with a wooden tool.
basic
Someone was pounding on the door at midnight.
natural
My heart was pounding before the interview.
natural
This jacket was ninety pounds, but I got it on sale.
natural