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
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Meech was known for running a national drug enterprise throughout the 1980s, moving an average of 2,500 kilograms of cocaine monthly. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024 At the apartment, agents found more than 3 kilograms of fentanyl and 3 kilograms of cocaine, according to prosecutors. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024 Despite its impressive size — growing over 23 feet (7 meters) long and weighing more than 2425 pounds (1100 kilograms) — less than 300 individuals have been documented since that first encounter. Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Stockholm’s prestigious award in the form of the 7.3 kilogram Bronze Horse – the world’s heaviest film award – takes inspiration from Swedish Dala horse and was created by designer Fredrik Swärd. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near kilogram

Cite this Entry

“Kilogram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kilogram. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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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