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.
Sue Dearing, a former president of the Democratic Club, will go back 80 years to the dropping of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima in 1945, with its comparatively small strength of 15 kilotons compared to today’s warheads of 475 kilotons and more. Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025 The global market for lithium-ion batteries is expected to rise by 13% each year, with demand reaching about 1,600 kilotons of lithium by 2026. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2025 The Atomic Age began there with the 21-kiloton Trinity explosion on July 16, 1945. Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Global stockpile The Hiroshima atomic bomb, with an explosive yield of 15 kilotons, would be considered a low-yield nuclear weapon by today’s standards. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Kiloton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kiloton. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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