kilogram

Definition

In the International System of Units, the base unit of mass; conceived of as the mass of one litre of water, but now defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the Planck constant h to be 6.626 070 15 × 10⁻³⁴ when expressed in units of kg⋅m²⋅s⁻¹. Symbol: kg

Etymology

Borrowed from French kilogramme. By surface analysis, kilo- + gram.

Example Sentences

• "Holonyms: megagram < gigagram"
• "Meronyms: picogram < nanogram < microgram < milligram < gram"
• "Friday’s vote has permanently redefined the kilogram and sent Le Grand K into retirement."