kilogram

noun

ki·​lo·​gram ˈki-lə-ˌgram  ˈkē-lə- 

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

Fresh fin whale meat was auctioned in Japan for the first time in nearly 50 years, with prices reaching over $1,300 per kilogram on Thursday. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Weighing just 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms), the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter had two counter-rotating rotors, each spanning 4 feet (1.2 meters), and operated on solar power with rechargeable batteries. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Law enforcement extracted more than one kilogram (two pounds) of meth from the suitcases, the statement said. —Lex Harvey, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024

Keep In Mind The amount of caffeine (35 milligrams) in this supplement is minimal compared to amounts shown to benefit sports performance (3–6 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight).6 Also, having caffeine about 60 minutes before exercise is most beneficial. —Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Verywell Health, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French kilogramme, from kilo- + gramme gram

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing kilogram

• kilogram-meter
• meter-kilogram-second

Kids Definition

kilogram

noun

ki·​lo·​gram ˈkē-lə-ˌgram  ˈkil-ə- 

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

ˈkil-ə-ˌgram  ˈkē-lə- 

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