poundage

¹

[ poun-dij ]

noun

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

poundage

²

[ poun-dij ]

noun

1. confinement within an enclosure or within certain limits.
2. the fee demanded to free animals from a pound.

poundage

¹

/ 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

poundage

²

/ ˈpaʊndɪdʒ /

noun

1. agriculture
   1. confinement of livestock within a pound
   2. the fee required for freeing a head of livestock from a pound

Word History and Origins

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

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

In the nearly six decades since, a significant poundage of our cranial tissue has been pretty much retired from active duty.

From Washington Post

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

Pandemic tax reliefs for businesses are also to be extended, while the poundage rate of non-domestic rates is to be cut for the first time in the history of devolution.

From BBC

Related Words

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