kilogram

[ kil-uh-gram ]
/ ˈkɪl əˌgræm /

noun

a unit of mass equal to 1000 grams: the basic unit of mass in the International System of Units(SI), equal to the mass of the international prototype of the kilogram, a platinum-iridium cylinder kept in Sèvres, France. Abbreviation: kg
a unit of force and weight, equal to the force that produces an acceleration of 9.80665 meters per second per second when acting on a mass of one kilogram. Abbreviation: kg
Also especially British, kil·o·gramme.

Origin of kilogram

From the French word kilogramme, dating back to 1790–1800. See kilo-, -gram2

Words nearby kilogram

kilocalorie, kilocurie, kilocycle, kiloelectron volt, kilogauss, kilogram, kilogram calorie, kilogram-force, kilogram-meter, kilohertz, kiloliter

Example sentences from the Web for kilogram

British Dictionary definitions for kilogram

kilogram
/ (ˈkɪləʊˌɡræm) /

noun

one thousand grams
the basic SI unit of mass, equal to the mass of the international prototype held by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. One kilogram is equivalent to 2.204 62 pounds
Symbol: kg

Medical definitions for kilogram

kilogram
[ kĭl′ə-grăm′ ]

n.

The base unit of mass in the International System of Units, equal to 1,000 grams (2.2046 pounds).

Scientific definitions for kilogram

kilogram
[ kĭl′ə-grăm′ ]

The basic unit of mass in the metric system, equal to 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds). See Table at measurement.

Cultural definitions for kilogram

kilogram
[ (kil-uh-gram, kee-luh-gram) ]

A unit of mass in the metric system, equal to one thousand grams. The weight of a one-kilogram mass is slightly over two pounds.