kiloton

[ kil-uh-tuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

kiloton

/ ˈkɪləʊˌtʌn /

one thousand tons
an explosive power, esp of a nuclear weapon, equal to the power of 1000 tons of TNT

Origin of kiloton¹

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

In theory, the Eitan could deliver a small (kiloton-range) nuclear warhead.

Jumbo survived the approximately 20 kiloton Trinity blast undamaged, but its supporting 70-foot tall steel tower was flattened.

The 19 kiloton explosion not only led to a quick end to the war in the Pacific but also ushered the world into the atomic age.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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