Astronomy. the Balance, a zodiacal constellation between Virgo and Serpens.
Astrology.
the seventh sign of the zodiac: the cardinal air sign.
Also Libran. a person born under this sign, usually between September 23rd and October 22nd.
astronomy a small faint zodiacal constellation in the S hemisphere, lying between Virgo and Scorpius on the ecliptic
astrology
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
a person born under this sign
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?
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lībra
< Spanish < Latin lībra libra 1
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lībra literally, pair of scales, libra 1
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In this operation he also makes fifteen centumpondia of "hard cakes poor in silver," in each centumpondium of which is a sixth of a libra of silver.
From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius
Or else a libra of the powder prepared from such metalliferous concentrates, half a libra of saltpetre, and a quarter of a libra of salt are heated until they melt.
From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius
Under the Goths the monetary basis was the Roman libra, subdivided thus— 1 libra = 8 onzas = 4608 grs.
From The History of Currency, 1252 to 1896 by Shaw, William Arthur
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 Agricola, Georgius
If there was a libra of silver, there must be six drachmae of lead.
From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius
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
Will it decide to create Libra, live on Mars, visit Titan, and venture beyond?
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
From time to time small pieces of sulphur, enveloped in or mixed with wax, are dropped into six librae of the molten copper, and consumed; the sulphur weighs half an uncia and a sicilicus.
From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius
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 Agricola, Georgius
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 Agricola, Georgius
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 Agricola, Georgius
On all these weights of the lesser scale, are written the numbers of librae and of semunciae.
From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius
How do we know what libras or bitcoins are worth, or whether they’re worth anything?
From The New Yorker ● Jul. 29, 2019
Whose duty is it to check the volubility of Mr. Alfred Jingle, or to weigh the heaviness, quot libras, of the Fat Boy?
From Dickens English Men of Letters by Ward, Adolphus William, Sir
One demi-saker, cast in Flandes, caliber four libras, length thirty calibers.
Two catapults, new Manila casting, caliber twenty libras.
The other face bears the lines of Juvenal— 'Expende quot libras in duce summo invenies.
From My Recollections of Lord Byron by Jerningham, Hubert E. H. (Hubert Edward Henry), Sir
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 Shiel, M. P. (Matthew Phipps)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
