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.
The flash of light when the 57-megaton nuclear bomb exploded could be seen more than 620 miles away. — Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 30 Oct. 2025 The Starship launches to put such a constellation into space might produce the equivalent of 100 megatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 24 Mar. 2026 Among the casualties are the region’s rich kelp forests, which contribute upwards of $52 billion to the global economy and sequester nearly a megaton of carbon from the atmosphere every year. — JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025 The bomb in question was supposed to generate the equivalent of five to six megatons of TNT (a megaton is equal to 1 million tons of TNT). — Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 20 Nov. 2025 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

Rhymes for megaton

See All Rhymes for megaton

Browse Nearby Words

Megathymidae
megaton
megatonnage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about megaton

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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