kiloton

noun

ki·​lo·​ton ˈki-lə-ˌtən How to pronounce kiloton (audio)
ˈkē-lə-
also -ˌtän
1
: 1000 tons
2
: an explosive force equivalent to that of 1000 tons of TNT

Examples of kiloton in a Sentence

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.
The labs explained what could be accomplished with testing limits of ten kilotons, one kiloton, and less. — Siegfried Hecker, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2025 In the worst-case timing scenarios, nearly 262 kilotons (577 million pounds or 262 million kg) of peanuts destined for human consumption could be lost. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 17 Nov. 2025 The researchers estimate that worldwide demand for rare earth minerals will increase from 91 kilotons in 2024 to 123 kilotons in 2030 and 150 kilotons in 2040. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 June 2026 The Trinity test, conducted as part of the Manhattan Project in the New Mexico desert, detonated a plutonium bomb that released the energy of 25 kilotons of TNT. — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for kiloton

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kiloton was in 1950

Rhymes for kiloton

See All Rhymes for kiloton

Browse Nearby Words

kilorad
kiloton
kilovar
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Cite this Entry

“Kiloton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kiloton. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

kiloton

noun
ki·​lo·​ton ˈkil-ə-ˌtən How to pronounce kiloton (audio)
ˈkē-lə-
also -ˌtän
1
: 1000 tons
2
: an explosive force equivalent to that of 1000 tons of TNT

More from Merriam-Webster on kiloton

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kiloton

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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