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 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 Joyce Li, commodities strategist at Macquarie Group, told CNBC over email that their base case before the attacks assumed a cut to the current running capacity of approximately 20%, which amounts to roughly 800 to 900 kilotons of production loss in 2026. Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026 In 2021, the report said, a total of 40,976 kilotons of fossil fuels went into fashion for EU consumption and 6,625 kilotons for that of the United Kingdom. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 7 Jan. 2026 Russian officials have previously said nuclear warheads with yields of up to 50 kilotons have been developed for Iskander missiles. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Kiloton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kiloton. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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

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