Libra vs. Pound — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 19, 2024
Libra is a unit of weight in the ancient Roman measurement system, often equivalent to about 327 grams, while the pound, used in various modern systems, typically equals about 454 grams and serves as a unit of currency in some countries.
Difference Between Libra and Pound
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Libra, originating from ancient Rome, was a basic unit of weight used across the Roman Empire. This system influenced many modern units of measure. On the other hand, the pound serves as both a unit of weight in the imperial system and as a fundamental currency unit in countries like the United Kingdom.
The term "libra" is where the abbreviation "lb" for the pound originates, demonstrating the historical link and influence between these two units. Whereas, the modern pound has evolved to become standardized at 454 grams in countries using the imperial system, and is also divided into 100 pence when used as currency.
Libra's usage today is mostly historical or educational, often referenced in texts about ancient Roman commerce or law. In contrast, the pound is actively used in daily life not only for measuring weight but also as the main currency in the UK, affecting economic and daily transactions.
In measurement contexts, libra contributed to the development of various national systems of measures that led to the diverse definitions of the pound. Conversely, the modern pound is universally recognized in science and engineering under the International System of Units (SI) as exactly 0.453592 kilograms.
While the libra has a fixed value historically, the value of the pound as currency can fluctuate based on economic factors. This economic aspect of the pound does not correlate with the historical use of libra, which was strictly a measure of weight.
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Comparison Chart
Use
Historical unit of weight
Current unit of weight and currency
Standard Weight
About 327 grams
About 454 grams (as weight)
Historical Origin
Ancient Rome
Derived from Roman libra
Modern Usage
Mostly educational or historical
Widely used in daily life and economy
Additional Roles
None
Serves as currency in several countries
Compare with Definitions
Libra
A historical term not commonly used in modern measurement.
Historical texts reference weights in libra.
Pound
A unit of weight in the imperial system, equivalent to 454 grams.
He bought a pound of apples.
Libra
Used in ancient commerce to measure goods.
Merchants calculated their prices per libra.
Pound
A measurement also used in the U.S. customary system.
The recipe called for two pounds of flour.
Libra
Influenced the development of weight measurement systems.
The libra contributed to the definitions of several modern units.
Pound
The currency unit of the United Kingdom, divided into 100 pence.
The book cost fifteen pounds.
Libra
The origin of the modern abbreviation for pound, "lb".
The term libra is where we get the abbreviation lb.
Pound
Used broadly in science and engineering to measure force.
The engine has a thrust of 1000 pounds.
Libra
An ancient Roman unit of weight.
The statue was said to weigh about 100 libra.
Pound
The abbreviation "lb" comes from the Roman libra.
The bag weighs 25 lb.
Libra
A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Scorpius and Virgo. Also called Balance, Scales.
Pound
A unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (453.592 grams).
Libra
The seventh sign of the zodiac in astrology. Also called Balance, Scales.
Pound
A unit of apothecary weight equal to 12 ounces (373.242 grams). See Table at measurement.
Libra
Pl. Li·bras One who is born under this sign.
Pound
A unit of weight differing in various countries and times.
Libra
A unit of weight in ancient Rome equivalent to about 12 ounces.
Pound
See pound-force.
Libra
(historical) A Roman unit of mass, usually equivalent to 327 g.
Pound
See pound-mass.
Libra
(historical) A traditional Spanish unit of mass, usually around 460 g.
Pound
The primary unit of currency in the United Kingdom, worth 20 shillings or 240 old pence before the decimalization of 1971. Also called pound sterling.
Libra
(historical) A traditional Portuguese unit of mass, usually equivalent to 345 g and particularly used for trade in medicines.
Pound
See Table at currency.
Libra
(historical) arratel, a separate Portuguese unit of mass, usually around 460 g.
Pound
The primary unit of currency in Ireland and Cyprus before the adoption of the euro.
Libra
(historical) libbra, a traditional Italian unit of mass.
Pound
A primary unit of currency in Scotland before the Act of Union (1707). Also called pound scots.
Libra
(historical) pound, a notional pound of silver as a money of account, especially in medieval contexts.
Pound
The pound key on a telephone.
Libra
The Balance; the seventh sign in the zodiac, which the sun enters at the autumnal equinox in September, marked thus
Pound
A heavy blow.
Libra
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun in in Libra
Pound
The sound of a heavy blow; a thump.
Libra
A small faint zodiacal constellation in the southern hemisphere; between Virgo and Scorpius
Pound
The act of pounding.
Libra
The seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
Pound
An animal shelter, especially one operated by a public agency to house stray or confiscated animals.
Pound
A public enclosure for the confinement of stray livestock.
Pound
A tank or submerged cage, as on a boat, in which live fish or shellfish are kept.
Pound
New England An establishment at which live lobsters are kept and sold, often also offering no-frills restaurant service.
Pound
A place in which vehicles impounded by the authorities are held until redeemed by their owners.
Pound
(Archaic) A prison.
Pound
To strike repeatedly and forcefully, especially with the hand or a tool
Pounded the nail with a hammer.
Pound
To assault with military force
Pounded the bunker with mortars.
Pound
To beat to a powder or pulp; pulverize or crush
Pound corn into meal.
Pound
To instill by persistent, emphatic repetition
Pounded knowledge into the students' heads.
Pound
To produce energetically, as from forceful use of the hands. Often used with out
"a tinny piano pounding out Happy Birthday down the block" (Laura Kascischke).
Pound
To cause harm or loss to; affect adversely
Stocks that were pounded when energy prices rose.
Pound
To defeat soundly
Pounded their rivals in the season finale.
Pound
To attack verbally; criticize
Was pounded for months in the press.
Pound
(Slang) To drink quickly (a beverage, especially an alcoholic one). Often used with back or down
Pounded back a few beers after work.
Pound
To strike vigorous, repeated blows
He pounded on the table.
Pound
To move along heavily and noisily
The children pounded up the stairs.
Pound
To pulsate rapidly and heavily; throb
My heart pounded.
Pound
To move or work laboriously
A ship that pounded through heavy seas.
Pound
To confine (an animal) in a pound.
Pound
A unit of weight in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound weight
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of mass in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound mass
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of mass equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces (= 453.592 g). Today this value is the most common meaning of "pound" as a unit of weight.
Pound
A unit of mass equal to 12 troy ounces (≈ 373.242 g). Today, this is a common unit of mass when measuring precious metals, and is little used elsewhere.
Pound
A unit of force in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound force
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of currency in various currency systems
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of currency
Pound
The unit of currency used in the United Kingdom and its dependencies. It is divided into 100 pence. Symbol £.
Pound
Any of various units of currency used in Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan and Syria, and formerly in the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Israel.
Pound
Any of various units of currency formerly used in the United States.
The Rhode Island pound; the New Hampshire pound
Pound
(US) The symbol # (octothorpe, hash, number sign)
Pound
A place for the detention of stray or wandering animals.
Dog pound
Pound
(metonymy) The people who work for the pound.
Pound
(UK) A place for the detention of automobiles that have been illegally parked, abandoned, etc.
Pound
A section of a canal between two adjacent locks.
Pound
A kind of fishing net, having a large enclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.
Pound
(Newfoundland) a division inside a fishing stage where cod is cured in salt brine
Pound
A hard blow.
Pound
To wager a pound on.
Pound
To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound.
Pound
(transitive) To strike hard, usually repeatedly.
Pound
(transitive) To crush to pieces; to pulverize.
Pound
To eat or drink very quickly.
You really pounded that beer!
Pound
To pitch consistently to a certain location.
The pitcher has been pounding the outside corner all night.
Pound
To beat strongly or throb.
As I tiptoed past the sleeping dog, my heart was pounding but I remained silent.
My head was pounding.
Pound
To advance heavily with measured steps.
Pound
(engineering) To make a jarring noise, as when running.
The engine pounds.
Pound
To strike repeatedly with some heavy instrument; to beat.
With cruel blows she pounds her blubbered cheeks.
Pound
To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break into fine particles with a pestle or other heavy instrument; as, to pound spice or salt.
Pound
To strike heavy blows; to beat.
Pound
To make a jarring noise, as in running; as, the engine pounds.
Pound
To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound.
Pound
An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which cattle or other animals are confined when taken in trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a pinfold.
Pound
A level stretch in a canal between locks.
Pound
A kind of net, having a large inclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.
Pound
A certain specified weight; especially, a legal standard consisting of an established number of ounces.
Pound
A British denomination of money of account, equivalent to twenty shillings sterling, and equal in value to about $4.86. There is no coin known by this name, but the gold sovereign is of the same value.
Pound
16 ounces;
He tried to lift 100 pounds
Pound
The basic unit of money in Great Britain; equal to 100 pence
Pound
The basic unit of money in Syria; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in the Sudan; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in Lebanon; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
Formerly the basic unit of money in Ireland; equal to 100 pence
Pound
The basic unit of money in Egypt; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in Cyprus; equal to 100 cents
Pound
A nontechnical unit of force equal to the mass of 1 pound with an acceleration of free fall equal to 32 feet/sec/sec
Pound
United States writer who lived in Europe; strongly influenced the development of modern literature (1885-1972)
Pound
A public enclosure for stray or unlicensed dogs;
Unlicensed dogs will be taken to the pound
Pound
The act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows);
The sudden hammer of fists caught him off guard
The pounding of feet on the hallway
Pound
Hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument;
The salesman pounded the door knocker
A bible-thumping Southern Baptist
Pound
Strike or drive against with a heavy impact;
Ram the gate with a sledgehammer
Pound on the door
Pound
Move heavily or clumsily;
The heavy man lumbered across the room
Pound
Move rhythmically;
Her heart was beating fast
Pound
Partition off into compartments;
The locks pound the water of the canal
Pound
Shut up or confine in any enclosure or within any bounds or limits;
The prisoners are safely pounded
Pound
Place or shut up in a pound;
Pound the cows so they don't stray
Pound
Break down and crush by beating, as with a pestle;
Pound the roots with a heavy flat stone
Common Curiosities
What is the difference between libra and pound in terms of weight?
Libra typically refers to a weight of about 327 grams, whereas a pound is about 454 grams.
How does the pound function as currency?
As a currency, the pound is used in the UK and is divided into 100 pence.
Can the term pound refer to both weight and currency simultaneously?
Yes, the term pound can refer to a unit of weight and, separately, to a unit of currency.
Why do we abbreviate pound as "lb"?
The abbreviation "lb" comes from the Roman word "libra."
Is the libra still used today?
The libra is primarily of historical interest today and is not used in modern measurement systems.
Does the value of the pound as currency change?
Yes, the value of the pound as currency can fluctuate based on economic conditions.
Are there different types of pounds used in measurement?
Yes, there are different pounds used in measurement, such as the troy pound and the avoirdupois pound.
How are goods weighed in the UK?
Goods in the UK can be weighed in pounds (lbs) as part of the imperial system.
What is the historical significance of the libra?
The libra was crucial in the commerce and trade of ancient Rome and influenced modern weight measurements.
What countries use the pound as currency?
The United Kingdom and some of its dependencies use the pound as currency.
What was the libra used to measure in ancient Rome?
In ancient Rome, the libra was used to measure weights of various goods for trade and commerce.
Why is the pound still important in modern measurement?
The pound remains important in countries using the imperial system and is also a standard unit in science and engineering.
How is the pound standardized in modern measurement systems?
The pound is standardized as exactly 0.453592 kilograms in modern international systems.
What is the conversion between pounds and kilograms?
One pound is equivalent to approximately 0.453592 kilograms.
What led to the development of the pound from the libra?
The development of the pound from the libra was influenced by the need for a standardized and universally recognized unit of weight in trade and commerce.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
