poundage

¹ American  

[poun-dij] / ˈpaʊn dɪdʒ /

noun

1. a tax, commission, rate, etc., of so much per pound sterling or per pound weight.

2. weight in pounds.

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poundage ² American  

[poun-dij] / ˈpaʊn dɪdʒ /

noun

1. confinement within an enclosure or within certain limits.

2. the fee demanded to free animals from a pound.

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poundage ¹ British  

/ ˈpaʊndɪdʒ /

noun

1. a tax, charge, or other payment of so much per pound of weight

2. a tax, charge, or other payment of so much per pound sterling

3. a weight expressed in pounds

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poundage ² British  

/ ˈpaʊndɪdʒ /

noun

1. agriculture

   1. confinement of livestock within a pound

   2. the fee required for freeing a head of livestock from a pound

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Etymology

Origin of poundage¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; pound ², -age

Origin of poundage²

First recorded in 1545–55; pound ³ + -age

Example Sentences

While the prize money was substantial, thanks to the pumpkin’s poundage, Mr. Gienger invested a significant sum in growing it, spending $15,000 on it from the time it was planted on April 10.

From Washington Times • Oct. 11, 2023

Each piece of royal hardware presented to him during his installation — orb, bejeweled sword, robes upon robes — seemed to add psychic poundage.

From New York Times • May 6, 2023

Ruth, as he put on the poundage and the paunch, the Yankees put their ballplayers in pinstripe uniforms because it made Ruth look slimmer.

From Washington Post • Aug. 3, 2022

“Me, I’m the strong guy,” Gude said laughing, noting that her body weight was just twice the poundage of the gear and chainsaw she was carrying.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2020

Of course, Ben thought, Red has ten or twenty of his buddies surrounding him which gives the battle of poundage back to Red by several thousand pounds.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• burden
• density
• gravity
• heft
• load
• pressure
• substance