kilogram

noun

ki·​lo·​gram ˈki-lə-ˌgram How to pronounce kilogram (audio) ˈkē-lə- How to pronounce kilogram (audio)
1
: the base unit of mass in the International System of Units that is defined by setting the fixed numerical value of Planck's constant to 6.62607015 x 10–34 joule seconds see Metric System Table
2
: a unit of force or weight equal to the weight of a kilogram mass under a gravitational attraction equal to that of the earth

Did you know?

The original concept of the kilogram, as the mass of a cubic decimeter of water (a bit more than a quart), was adopted as the base unit of mass by the new revolutionary government of France in 1793. In 1875, in the Treaty of the Meter, 17 countries, including the U.S., adopted the French kilogram as an international standard. In 1889 a new international standard for the kilogram, a metal bar made of platinum iridium, was agreed to; President Benjamin Harrison officially received the 1-kilogram cylinder for the U.S. in 1890. But no one uses that bar very often; for all practical purposes, a kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.

Examples of kilogram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Seized in Operation Showdown were 287 firearms and 22 kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2025 According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report from May, that stockpile stands at 408 kilograms, up from 275 kilograms in February, and enough material to produce ten nuclear weapons after a few weeks of further enrichment (40 kilograms are needed for one weapon). Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025 About three milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight, one hour before exercise, can promote fat burn. Lauren O'Connor, Health, 16 June 2025 The agency says that Iran has stockpiled more than 400 kilograms of the highly enriched material, enough by some estimates to quickly build around 10 nuclear weapons. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for kilogram

Word History

Etymology

French kilogramme, from kilo- + gramme gram

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kilogram was in 1797

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Cite this Entry

“Kilogram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kilogram. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

kilogram

noun
ki·​lo·​gram ˈkē-lə-ˌgram How to pronounce kilogram (audio) ˈkil-ə- How to pronounce kilogram (audio)
1
: the basic unit of mass in the metric system that has been accepted by international agreement and is nearly equal to the mass of 1000 cubic centimeters of water at its highest density see metric system
2
: the weight of a kilogram mass on the earth
he weighs 80 kilograms
see metric system

Medical Definition

kilogram

noun
ki·​lo·​gram
variants or chiefly British kilogramme
1
: the base unit of mass in the International System of Units that is equal to the mass of a prototype agreed upon by international convention and that is nearly equal to the mass of 1000 cubic centimeters of water at the temperature of its maximum density
2
: a unit of force equal to the weight of a kilogram mass under a gravitational attraction equal to that of the earth

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