pound key: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “pound key” mean?
The symbol (#) on a telephone keypad or keyboard.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The symbol (#) on a telephone keypad or keyboard.
A reference to the hash/number sign symbol used in various technical and telephonic contexts; also sometimes called the hash key, number sign, or octothorpe.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'hash key' or 'hash' is the predominant term for the symbol (#). 'Pound key' is rarely understood in the UK outside of specific American media or technical support contexts.
Connotations
In the US, 'pound key' is the standard telephonic term, evoking automated phone systems. In the UK, 'pound key' can cause confusion as 'pound' refers to the currency (£).
Frequency
Very common in US English for telephony. Extremely rare in modern UK English; 'hash' is almost universal.
Grammar
How to Use “pound key” in a Sentence
Press + [the] + pound keyEnter + number + followed by + the pound keyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pound key” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- The pound-key function is disabled.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in automated phone systems: 'For account balance, enter your PIN followed by the pound key.'
Academic
Rare; may appear in linguistics or telecommunications papers discussing symbol nomenclature.
Everyday
Mostly US: 'When the recording finishes, just hit the pound key.'
Technical
In programming, 'hash' is standard; 'pound key' is considered a legacy telephony term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pound key”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pound key”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pound key”
- Calling the £ symbol the 'pound key' in the UK.
- Using 'pound key' in international software documentation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost exclusively a North American term. In the UK, 'hash key' is standard to avoid confusion with the pound sterling (£) symbol.
It likely originates from the symbol's use as an abbreviation for 'pound' (lb.) in weight. In the 1960s, Bell Labs adopted the term for the newly introduced telephone key.
No. This is a classic false friend. The key for the British pound symbol (£) is never called the 'pound key' in any standard variety of English.
Always use 'hash' (as in hashtag, hashmap) in programming and international tech contexts. 'Pound key' is considered outdated and region-specific.
The symbol (#) on a telephone keypad or keyboard.
Pound key is usually informal, technical in register.
Pound key: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʃ ˌkiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpaʊnd ˌkiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Press pound to exit.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an American 'pounding' the # key to get through a robot's phone call.
Conceptual Metaphor
KEY AS ACTION (The key performs the action of confirming or ending an input).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in British English for the # symbol on a phone?