LBS Full Form

If anyone asks the question what is the meaning of lbs, the answer is very simple. The answer is Pound. The Pound - mass or the Pound is the unit of mass that is mainly used in Imperial, United States Customary and the other systems of measurement. The most commonly used definition of pound is the avoirdupois pound. It is defined legally as exactly 0.453 592 37 kilograms and is divided into 16 avoirdupois ounces. The International Standard Symbol for avoirdupois pound is “lb” or “lbs”. The alternative symbol for pound is lbm. 

LBS Meaning in Weight

LBS is derived from the Latin word “libra” and hence the abbreviation “lb”. Libra was an ancient Roman unit of mass. It was equivalent to 328.9 grams (approx). It is divided into 12 unciae or ounces. Pound is used in various ways. Let’s discuss some of them here. 

Current Use of Lbs

The United States and the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations have agreed upon common definitions of the pound. Since 1st of July, 1959, the international avoirdupois pound is equivalent to exactly 0.453 592 37 kilograms. In the United Kingdom, the use of the pound (international) was implemented in the Weights and Measures Act of 1963. The Section 1(1) of Weights and Measures Act, 1963 states that the pound or the kilogram should be the unit of measurement of mass by reference to which any measurement involving a measurement of mass shall be made in the United Kingdom and the pound shall be 0.453 592 37 kg exactly. 

Pound in Britain

In Britain, a number of definitions for the pound have been used historically. Amongst these were the avoirdupois pound, the obsolete tower, merchant's and London pounds. Troy pounds and ounces are used only for the weight of a few precious metals. Earlier, the pound sterling was a tower pound of silver. Later, the standard was changed to the Troy pound in 1528. 

Avoirdupois Pound

The avoirdupois pound is also known as the wool pound. It came into general use from c.1300. The avoirdupois pound was initially equal to 6992 troy grains. It was divided into 16 ounces. Since the reign of Queen Elizabeth, it was redefined as equivalent to 7000 troy grains. Since then, the Troy has been an integral part of the avoirdupois system.  

Troy Pound

The Troy weights were used by the jewellers of England. The Troy pound is abbreviated as lb t. It equals 12 troy ounces, 5760 grains and 373.241 7216 grams. In Apothecaries’ system of weights also, the troy and ounces are used along with drachms and scruples. Troy pound got its name from the French market town named Troyes in France where the English traders used to trade in the early 9th century.  The use of Troy pound was abolished in the United Kingdom from 6th January 1879 by the Weights and Measurements Act, 1878. But the Troy ounce, ½ Troy pound are still used to measure gems and precious metals.