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definitions

kilo-

a Greek combining form meaning “thousand,” introduced from French in the nomenclature of the metric system (kiloliter); on this model, used in the formation of compound words in other scientific measurements (kilowatt).

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Nearby words

  1. kiln run brick,
  2. kiln-dried,
  3. kiln-dry,
  4. kilner jar,
  5. kilo,
  6. kilobar,
  7. kilobit,
  8. kilobyte,
  9. kilocalorie,
  10. kilocurie

Origin of kilo-

< French, representing Greek chī́lioi a thousand
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for kilo-

kilo-

prefix

denoting 10³ (1000)kilometre Symbol: k
(in computer technology) denoting 2 10 (1024): kilobyte: in computer usage, kilo- is restricted to sizes of storage (e.g. kilobit) when it means 1024; in other computer contexts it retains its usual meaning of 1000

Word Origin for kilo-

from French, from Greek khilioi thousand
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
Word Origin and History for kilo-

kilo-

word-forming element meaning "one thousand," introduced in French 1795, when the metric system was officially adopted there, from Greek khilioi "thousand," of unknown origin.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for kilo-

kilo-

pref.

One thousand (103):kilogram.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for kilo-

kilo-

A prefix that means:
One thousand, as in kilowatt, one thousand watts.
210 (that is, 1,024), which is the power of 2 closest to 1,000, as in kilobyte.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.