Meter vs. Pound — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 9, 2024
Meter is a unit of length in the metric system, while Pound is a unit of mass or weight in the imperial system.
Difference Between Meter and Pound
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Meter and Pound are fundamental units in the metric and imperial systems, respectively. A meter is used to measure distance, defined as the length of the path traveled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299,792,458 of a second. On the other hand, a pound is a measure of mass (or weight under the force of gravity), historically based on the mass of a physical prototype, and is equivalent to approximately 0.453592 kilograms.
While a meter provides a universal measurement for distance, allowing for consistent and precise spatial quantifications across various scientific and engineering disciplines, a pound serves a different purpose. It is primarily used in the United States and other regions for measuring the weight of objects, ingredients in cooking, and the body weight of people and animals.
The international usage of the meter is widespread, supported by the International System of Units (SI), making it a global standard for measuring length. Whereas, the pound is more commonly used in the United States, the United Kingdom, and a few other places, leading to a geographical discrepancy in the adoption of these units.
Accuracy in measurement is crucial, and while both units serve their purpose efficiently, the contexts in which they are used are markedly different. A meter, with its precise definition based on the speed of light, offers an exactness suitable for scientific research. Meanwhile, the pound, though less precise due to its basis in historical weights, remains practical for everyday use in its respective domains.
The conversion between meters and pounds is not direct, as they measure different physical properties. However, understanding both units and their application is essential for accurate measurement, scientific research, and daily activities, highlighting the importance of contextual knowledge in the use of these measurements.
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Comparison Chart
Stem
Metric
Imperial
Measurement Type
Length/Distance
Mass/Weight
Defined as
The distance light travels in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 sec.
Historically based on the mass of a physical prototype.
Use Case
Universal measurement for distance.
Measuring weight in the US, UK, and others.
Conversion
N/A
Approximately 0.453592 kilograms (for mass).
Compare with Definitions
Meter
Used globally for scientific, engineering, and everyday measurements.
He measured the table's width in meters to ensure it would fit.
Pound
Utilized in cooking and grocery shopping for quantifying ingredients.
The recipe requires two pounds of flour.
Meter
A unit of length in the metric system.
The length of the room is 5 meters.
Pound
A unit of weight (or mass) in the imperial system.
She bought five pounds of apples for the pie.
Meter
Essential for standardized measurements across different fields.
The new road will be 3,000 meters long.
Pound
Commonly used in the United States for measuring body weight.
He lost 10 pounds in a month.
Meter
The base unit for measuring distance in the International System of Units (SI).
The marathon race is 42.195 kilometers, or 42,195 meters long.
Pound
Varied usage in sports and commerce for weighing objects and commodities.
The boxer fights in the 150-pound weight class.
Meter
Defined based on the speed of light, making it a constant in physics.
Scientists use meters to ensure precision in their experiments.
Pound
Equal to 0.453592 kilograms, making it convertible to the metric system.
The luggage weighed 50 pounds, or approximately 22.68 kilograms.
Meter
The measured arrangement of words in poetry, as by accentual rhythm, syllabic quantity, or the number of syllables in a line.
Pound
A unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (453.592 grams).
Meter
A particular arrangement of words in poetry, such as iambic pentameter, determined by the kind and number of metrical units in a line.
Pound
A unit of apothecary weight equal to 12 ounces (373.242 grams). See Table at measurement.
Meter
The rhythmic pattern of a stanza, determined by the kind and number of lines.
Pound
A unit of weight differing in various countries and times.
Meter
Division into measures or bars.
Pound
See pound-force.
Meter
A specific rhythm determined by the number of beats and the time value assigned to each note in a measure.
Pound
See pound-mass.
Meter
The international standard unit of length, approximately equivalent to 39.37 inches. It was redefined in 1983 as the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. See Table at measurement.
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.
Meter
Any of various devices designed to measure time, distance, speed, or intensity or indicate and record or regulate the amount or volume, as of the flow of a gas or an electric current.
Pound
See Table at currency.
Meter
A postage meter.
Pound
The primary unit of currency in Ireland and Cyprus before the adoption of the euro.
Meter
A parking meter.
Pound
A primary unit of currency in Scotland before the Act of Union (1707). Also called pound scots.
Meter
To measure with a meter
Meter a flow of water.
Pound
The pound key on a telephone.
Meter
To supply in a measured or regulated amount
Metered the allotted gasoline to each vehicle.
Pound
A heavy blow.
Meter
To imprint with postage or other revenue stamps by means of a postage meter or similar device
Metering bulk mail.
Pound
The sound of a heavy blow; a thump.
Meter
To provide with a parking meter or parking meters
Meter parking spaces.
Pound
The act of pounding.
Meter
A device that measures things.
Pound
An animal shelter, especially one operated by a public agency to house stray or confiscated animals.
Meter
A parking meter or similar device for collecting payment.
Gas meter
Pound
A public enclosure for the confinement of stray livestock.
Meter
One who metes or measures.
A labouring coal-meter
Pound
A tank or submerged cage, as on a boat, in which live fish or shellfish are kept.
Meter
(American spelling) The base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), conceived as 1/10,000,000 of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator, and now defined as the distance light will travel in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 seconds.
Pound
New England An establishment at which live lobsters are kept and sold, often also offering no-frills restaurant service.
Meter
(American spelling) The overall rhythm of a song or poem; particularly, the number of beats in a measure or syllables in a line.
Pound
A place in which vehicles impounded by the authorities are held until redeemed by their owners.
Meter
(obsolete) A poem.
Pound
(Archaic) A prison.
Meter
(American spelling) A line above or below a hanging net, to which the net is attached in order to strengthen it.
Pound
To strike repeatedly and forcefully, especially with the hand or a tool
Pounded the nail with a hammer.
Meter
To measure with a metering device.
Pound
To assault with military force
Pounded the bunker with mortars.
Meter
To imprint a postage mark with a postage meter.
Pound
To beat to a powder or pulp; pulverize or crush
Pound corn into meal.
Meter
To regulate the flow of or to deliver in regulated amounts (usually of fluids but sometimes of other things such as anticipation or breath).
Pound
To instill by persistent, emphatic repetition
Pounded knowledge into the students' heads.
Meter
One who, or that which, metes or measures. See Coal-meter.
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).
Meter
An instrument for measuring, and usually for recording automatically, the quantity measured.
Pound
To cause harm or loss to; affect adversely
Stocks that were pounded when energy prices rose.
Meter
A line above or below a hanging net, to which the net is attached in order to strengthen it.
Pound
To defeat soundly
Pounded their rivals in the season finale.
Meter
Rhythmical arrangement of syllables or words into verses, stanzas, strophes, etc.; poetical measure, depending on number, quantity, and accent of syllables; rhythm; measure; verse; also, any specific rhythmical arrangements; as, the Horatian meters; a dactylic meter.
The only strict antithesis to prose is meter.
Pound
To attack verbally; criticize
Was pounded for months in the press.
Meter
A poem.
Pound
(Slang) To drink quickly (a beverage, especially an alcoholic one). Often used with back or down
Pounded back a few beers after work.
Meter
A measure of length, equal to 39.37 English inches, the standard of linear measure in the metric system of weights and measures. It was intended to be, and is very nearly, the ten millionth part of the distance from the equator to the north pole, as ascertained by actual measurement of an arc of a meridian. See Metric system, under Metric.
Pound
To strike vigorous, repeated blows
He pounded on the table.
Meter
The basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
Pound
To move along heavily and noisily
The children pounded up the stairs.
Meter
Any of various measuring instruments for measuring a quantity
Pound
To pulsate rapidly and heavily; throb
My heart pounded.
Meter
(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
Pound
To move or work laboriously
A ship that pounded through heavy seas.
Meter
Rhythm as given by division into parts of equal time
Pound
To confine (an animal) in a pound.
Meter
Measure with a meter;
Meter the flow of water
Pound
A unit of weight in various measurement systems
Meter
Stamp with a meter indicating the postage;
Meter the mail
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
How are meters used?
Meters are used worldwide for measuring lengths and distances in various contexts, including scientific research, construction, and everyday measurements.
What is a pound?
A pound is a unit of weight (or mass) in the imperial system.
Where are pounds primarily used?
Pounds are primarily used in the United States, the United Kingdom, and a few other countries for measuring weight.
Can meters and pounds be directly converted?
No, meters and pounds measure different physical properties (distance vs. mass/weight) and cannot be directly converted.
How is the meter defined?
The meter is defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
What is a meter?
A meter is the base unit of length in the metric system, used to measure distance.
How is the pound defined?
Historically, the pound was defined based on the mass of a physical prototype, but it is currently defined as 0.453592 kilograms.
What makes meters and pounds different?
Meters measure length or distance, while pounds measure mass or weight, belonging to different measurement systems.
Are meters used in the United States?
Yes, meters are used in the United States, especially in scientific, engineering, and some commercial applications.
What system does the pound belong to?
The pound belongs to the imperial system.
Why is the meter considered a universal measurement?
Because its definition based on the speed of light offers an exactness and consistency useful for global scientific and practical applications.
How accurate is a pound?
The accuracy of a pound depends on the context; it is suitable for everyday use, but in scientific contexts, the kilogram is preferred for greater precision.
What system does the meter belong to?
The meter belongs to the metric system.
Can you measure length in pounds?
No, length cannot be measured in pounds, as pounds are a unit of weight, not distance.
Is the pound used for anything besides weight?
Primarily, the pound is used for measuring weight, but in finance, it can also refer to the British pound sterling (£).
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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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
