What does the # sign represent if it appears before a number?

The # sign, when placed before a number, is commonly known as the "pound" symbol. This usage originated primarily in American English, where it was used in contexts such as indicating weight (e.g., "5# of apples") or in telephone menus. In telecommunications, it often denotes the pound key on a telephone keypad. While some may associate the symbol with "number," particularly in certain contexts (such as in social media tags), the primary and more common interpretation when used before a numeral is "pound." This is particularly evident in various technical and everyday uses where weight or specifications are discussed. Thus, recognizing the # sign as referring to "pound" is aligned with traditional conventions in both written and spoken discourse.