Weight and Height Measurements
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As a result of this, this forum is now closed.
The English dictionary community team would like the opportunity to say a huge thanks to all of you who participated by posting questions and helping other community members.
We hope this forum was useful, and that you enjoyed being a part of it.
If you would like to get in touch with any OED-related queries, please write to
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And if you would like to contribute suggestions to the OED, please do so by visiting: https://public.oed.com/contribute-to-the-oed/
Thank you very much indeed, and good bye!
The community team
Weight and Height Measurements
Hello,
For abbreviations do we pluralize “pounds” and “ounces” as lbs and ozs?
Is 1 or 2 correct below?
1) The infant weighed 8lbs 5ozs.
2) The infant weighed 8lb 5oz.
And would we pluralize the abbreviation “inches” as “ins”?
3 or 4 below?
3) He stood 5ft 10ins tall.
4) He stood 5ft 10in tall.
Thank you
Comments
Hello @mgoronsky582
In scientific publications, units of measurement are almost never pluralized when abbreviated. Arguably, this should remain true for general use, as well. You should therefore write "lb."
The abbreviation "lb" comes from the Latin libra, which is itself short for libra pondo, or "pound weight."
I hope this helps.