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pound avoirdupois
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pound avoirdupois

measurement
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Quick Summary

The pound avoirdupois is a traditional unit of weight within the British Imperial and United States Customary Systems. The name "avoirdupois" originates from the French phrase for "goods of weight".1

Key facts about the pound avoirdupois:
* It is equal to 16 ounces.2
* It contains 7,000 grains.21
* Each ounce in this system is equivalent to 437.5 grains.13
* Since 1959, it has been officially defined as 0.45359237 kilograms.1

This system is used for most goods, excluding those measured by apothecaries' or troy weight. The pound avoirdupois is approximately 1.22 times heavier than an apothecaries' or troy pound.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. pound
  2. avoirdupois weight
  3. ounce

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