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karat

American  
[kar-uht] / ˈkær ət /
Or carat

noun

  1. a unit for measuring the fineness of gold, pure gold being 24 karats fine. k., kt.


karat British  
/ ˈkærət /

noun

  1. Also spelt (in Britain and certain other countries): carat.  a measure of the proportion of gold in an alloy, expressed as the number of parts of gold in 24 parts of the alloy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of karat

First recorded in 1550–60; spelling variant of carat

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A 16 cm Cartier Love bracelet costs $8,655 including sales tax, and contains around 31 grams of 18 karat gold.

From The Wall Street Journal

For pieces of unknown purity, she performed a quick scratch test using an acid kit to help determine the metal’s karat composition.

From Los Angeles Times

Featuring an array of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings in 18 karat yellow gold and black titanium with diamonds, the collection is feels personal to Pharrell.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m pretty sure it says 14 karats on the inside,” Friedman said back on the street in the waning evening sunlight, positing that the $9 trinket was probably a white gold engagement band.

From Los Angeles Times

It contains just under 400 diamonds, rubies and sapphires and is set onto yellow gold, with a total karat weight of approximately 6 carats.

From Los Angeles Times