megaton

noun

mega·​ton ˈme-gə-ˌtən How to pronounce megaton (audio)
: an explosive force equivalent to that of one million tons of TNT

Examples of megaton in a Sentence

an atomic explosion with a force of several megatons
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.
In 1952: The United States tested the first hydrogen bomb on the Eniwetok atoll in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in a blast equivalent to 10.4 megatons of TNT, hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 2 Nov. 2024 Blasts once measured in kilotons are now measured in megatons, and warheads once dropped by slow-flying bombers are now delivered by fast-flying and deadly accurate ballistic missiles. Anthony Lake, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2024 The Castle Bravo hydrogen bomb test on March 1, 1954, produced an explosion equivalent to 15 megatons of TNT, more than 2.5 times what scientists had expected. Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024 Astrophysicists estimate that Apophis’ size and speed would generate the energy equivalent to 1,200 megatons of TNT—enough to potentially create a 17,000-foot-wide crater. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for megaton 

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of megaton was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near megaton

Cite this Entry

“Megaton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/megaton. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

megaton

noun
mega·​ton ˈmeg-ə-ˌtən How to pronounce megaton (audio)
: an explosive force equal to that of one million tons of TNT

More from Merriam-Webster on megaton

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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