noun
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one thousand tons
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an explosive power, esp of a nuclear weapon, equal to the power of 1000 tons of TNT
Etymology
Origin of kiloton
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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.
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 ● May 6, 2024
But it has been 30 years since most Americans have talked about nuclear deterrence, the difference between tactical and strategic weapons and what havoc a 10 kiloton bomb can trigger versus a 100 kiloton one.
From New York Times ● Oct. 9, 2022
Most nuclear weapons today are variable-yield, or “dial-a-yield,” providing a set amount of explosive power that can range from fractions of a kiloton to multiples of a megaton.
From Scientific American ● Mar. 10, 2022
The old B61 bombs had the explosive power of 1 megaton; the new ones have “dial-a-yield” options, ranging from 340 kilotons down to a fraction of a kiloton.
From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2019
"Wouldn't take as much as a kiloton equivalent, would it?"
From The Galaxy Primes by E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith
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