kiloton

American  

[kil-uh-tuhn] / ˈkɪl əˌtʌn /

noun

1. a unit of weight, equal to 1000 tons. ton.

2. an explosive force equal to that of 1000 tons ton of TNT.

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kiloton British  

/ ˈkɪləʊˌtʌn /

noun

1. one thousand tons

2. an explosive power, esp of a nuclear weapon, equal to the power of 1000 tons of TNT

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Etymology

Origin of kiloton

First recorded in 1945–50; kilo- + ton ¹

Compare meaning

How does kiloton compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• megaton vs. kiloton

Example Sentences

That explosion released energy equivalent to hundreds of kilotons of TNT, reminding scientists that even modestly sized asteroids can have local effects.

From Science Daily

Unlike nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles that can destroy entire cities, tactical nuclear weapons for use against troops on the battlefield are less powerful and can have a yield as small as about 1 kiloton.

From Seattle Times

The U.S. bomb in Hiroshima in World War II was 15 kilotons.

From Seattle Times

If all goes according to plan, in 20 years we'll have reduced our scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by 166 kilotons.

From Salon

Those bombs, which struck the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, packed the equivalent of 15 and 21 kilotons of TNT, respectively.

From Scientific American