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• libra
  libra

  noun

  the ancient Roman pound (containing 5053 grains or 327.4 grams).
• Libra
  Libra

  noun

  the Balance, a zodiacal constellation between Virgo and Serpens.

libra

¹ American  

[lahy-bruh, lee-] / ˈlaɪ brə, ˈli- /

noun

• librae
  plural

1. the ancient Roman pound (containing 5053 grains or 327.4 grams).

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libra ² American  

[lee-vrah] / ˈli vrɑ /

noun

• libras
  plural

1. sol.

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Libra ³ American  

[lee-bruh, lahy-] / ˈli brə, ˈlaɪ- /

noun

• Librae
  genitive

1. Astronomy. the Balance, a zodiacal constellation between Virgo and Serpens.

2. Astrology.

   1. the seventh sign of the zodiac: the cardinal air sign.

   2. Also Libran. a person born under this sign, usually between September 23rd and October 22nd.

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libra ¹ British  

/ ˈlaɪbrə /

noun

1. an ancient Roman unit of weight corresponding to 1 pound, but equal to about 12 ounces

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Libra ² British  

/ ˈliːbrə /

noun

1. astronomy a small faint zodiacal constellation in the S hemisphere, lying between Virgo and Scorpius on the ecliptic

2. astrology

   1. Also called: the Scales, the Balance. the seventh sign of the zodiac, symbol ♎, having a cardinal air classification and ruled by the planet Venus. The sun is in this sign between about Sept 23 and Oct 22

   2. a person born under this sign

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adjective

1. astrology born under or characteristic of Libra

Libra Scientific  

/ lē′brə /

1. A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Scorpius and Virgo. Libra (the Scales or Balance) is the seventh sign of the zodiac.

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Usage

What does Libra mean? Libra is the name of a constellation that is interpreted as representing a pair of scales. It is also known as the Scales or the Balance. A constellation is a group of stars that appear near each other in the sky—especially a group that has been given a name. Libra is considered one of the 12 zodiacal constellations—constellations that appear within a particular portion of the sky called the zodiac. In astronomy, the zodiac is the band of sky along which the paths of the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to move. Despite its basis in astronomy, the word zodiac is mainly associated with and most often used in the context of astrology, the nonscientific practice in which the positions of heavenly bodies at certain times are thought to influence or be correlated with human behavior and events. In astrology, zodiac refers to a diagram (often a circular one) representing the zodiac belt and showing the symbols associated with each of the 12 constellations or sections, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Libra is one of these signs. It is situated between Virgo and Scorpio and is considered the seventh sign of the zodiac. The other signs of the zodiac are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The position of the sun in a particular portion of the zodiac at the moment of a person’s birth is thought to correlate with their personality. This is what people are referring to when they talk about their zodiac sign (or star sign or often just sign). People whose sign is Libra are those born between September 23 and October 22. The word Libra can be used as a noun to refer to someone who is born during this time, as in I was born in late October, so I’m a Libra. The word Libran can be used to mean the same thing. It can also be used as an adjective form of Libra. Example: Oh, your birthday is in October? Are you a Libra?

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• librae
  plural
• libras
  plural

Etymology

Origin of libra¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lībra

Origin of libra²

< Spanish < Latin lībra libra ¹

Origin of Libra³

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lībra literally, pair of scales, libra ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

libra Libra librae libras Librae

When the lead has been liquated from the copper, it weighs six centumpondia, in each centumpondium of which there is a quarter of a libra and almost a sicilicus of silver.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

The ninth contains two librae of powder of baked bricks, one libra of vitriol, likewise one libra of saltpetre, a handful of salt, and three-quarters of a libra of spring water.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

The sixth method consists in heating together a bes of the copper and one-sixth of a libra each of sulphur, salt, and stibium.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

In the first, the use of which is common and general, there is one libra of vitriol and as much salt, added to a third of a libra of spring water.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

The third consists of four librae of vitriol, two and a half librae of saltpetre, half a libra of alum, and one and a half librae of spring water.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

The signs attributed to each profile were Virgo, Leo, and Libra.

From Slate ● May 5, 2026

Between March 3 and 5 four more vessels were struck: the Libra Trader, Gold Oak, Safeen Prestige and the Sonangol Namibe.

From Barron's ● Mar. 8, 2026

Cyber security researchers at CrowdStrike formed the name "Scattered Spider" because of the group's sporadic nature, but other cyber companies have given the cluster nicknames including Octo Tempest and Muddled Libra.

From BBC ● May 20, 2025

This study received support from the Libra Foundation and John Templeton Foundation.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2024

Libra would be created by hauling material from the earth and the moon.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

To separate the copper from the silver we require five hundred librae of lead, more or less, with which the regulus is melted in the second furnace.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

Since from fifteen centumpondia of re-melted copper there was a total of four and a third librae and a semi-uncia of silver, there remain only two and a third librae.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

The second contains two librae of vitriol, one of saltpetre, and as much spring or river water by weight as will pass away whilst the vitriol is being reduced to powder by the fire.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

The eighth method consists of heating together one libra of the copper, one and a half librae of sulphur, half a libra of verdigris, and a libra of refined salt.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

It is found in lumps, in shafts as well, sometimes even exceeding ten librae in weight.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georgius Agricola

How do we know what libras or bitcoins are worth, or whether they’re worth anything?

From The New Yorker ● Jul. 29, 2019

Most of the lights were candles of two, three, four, five, or six libras, and were placed in their silver candlesticks, sockets, and holders.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 36, 1649-1666 Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century. by Edward Gaylord Bourne

One paterero of the same casting, caliber fifteen libras, length fourteen diameters.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 14 of 55 1606-1609 Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of The Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century by Emma Helen Blair

On Thursday, May nine, three libras of quicksilver were incorporated with three quintals of ore obtained from the first hole and vein of the new mine, of which mention has been made.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 20 of 55 1621-1624 Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century. by Emma Helen Blair

For a beginning, he offered an iron piece that uses a ball weighing three libras, which he handed over to the said adjutant Eras.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 29 of 55 Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century by Various

It was sighted at a point two degrees W. of a Librae at an angle of 431/2° with the horizon, and had been photographed, its elements calculated, its spectrum taken.

From The Lord of the Sea by M. P. (Matthew Phipps) Shiel