kilo-
kilo- A prefix indicating a multiple of 103 (1000), as in kilogram and kilowatt; the symbol for kilo- should then be k (not K), as in kg and kW. When the binary number system is used in a structure or process (as in semiconductor RAM or ROM), kilo- then indicates a multiple of 210 (1024), as in kilobyte and kilobit; the symbols k and K are both commonly used, as in kB or KB (symbols for kilobyte). The context usually clarifies which meaning of kilo- is intended, although being numerically close the meanings are often considered more or less equivalent. However, special care should be taken to disambiguate the intended meaning of this prefix when telecommunications and computing are both at issue. See also binary prefixes.
kilo-
kilo- From the Greek khilioi, meaning ‘thousand’, a prefix (symbol k) used with SI units to denote the unit ×103.
kilo-
kilo- — F. (1795), arbitrarily f. Gr. khílioi thousand, in weights and measures, as kilogramme (abbrev. kilo), kilometre;
hence in kilowatt.
hence in kilowatt.
kilo-
kilo- • comb. form (used commonly in units of measurement) denoting a factor of 1,000: kilojoule kiloliter.
kilo-
kilo- Symbol k. A prefix used in the metric system to denote 1000 times. For example, 1000 volts = 1 kilovolt (kV).
More From encyclopedia.com
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
kilo-