libra

noun

li·​bra

for senses 1 & 2a

ˈlē-brə 

 sometimes  ˈlī-brə,

for sense 2b

ˈlē-brə 

or

ˈlēv-rə 

1

capitalized

a

: a southern zodiacal constellation between Virgo and Scorpio represented by a pair of scales

b(1)

: the seventh sign of the zodiac in astrology see Signs of the Zodiac Table

(2)

: one born under the sign of Libra

2

a

plural librae ˈlī-ˌbrē 

ˈlē-ˌbrī

[Latin] : an ancient Roman unit of weight equal to 327.45 grams

b

[Spanish & Portuguese, from Latin] : any of various Spanish, Portuguese, Colombian, or Venezuelan units of weight

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin (genitive Librae), literally, scales, pound

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

Libra

noun

Li·​bra

ˈlē-brə,

ˈlī-

1

: a group of stars between Virgo and Scorpio usually pictured as a balance scale

2

a

: the seventh sign of the zodiac see zodiac

b

: a person whose sign of the zodiac is Libra

Etymology

Middle English Libra "a group of stars between Virgo and Scorpio," from Latin libra, literally, "balance, scales" — related to deliberate, equilibrium