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kilometers - 3 dictionary results
kil⋅o⋅me⋅ter
[ki-lom-i-ter, kil-uh-mee‑] 
–noun
| a unit of length, the common measure of distances equal to 1000 meters, and equivalent to 3280.8 feet or 0.621 mile. Abbreviation: km |
Also, especially British, kil⋅o⋅me⋅tre.
Origin:
1800–10; < F kilomètre. See kilo-, meter1
1800–10; < F kilomètre. See kilo-, meter1
Related forms:
kil⋅o⋅met⋅ric [kil-uh-me-trik] , kil⋅o⋅met⋅ri⋅cal, adjective
[kil-uh-me-trik] , kil⋅o⋅met⋅ri⋅cal, adjective Pronunciation note:
The usual pronunciation for units of measurement starting with kilo-, as kilocalorie, kiloliter, and kilohertz, as well as for units of length ending in the base word meter, as centimeter, hectometer, and millimeter, gives primary stress to the first syllable and secondary to the third. It would seem logical for kilometer to follow this pattern, and in fact the pronunciation [kil-uh-mee-ter] has been used since the early 1800's. A second pronunciation: [ki-lom-i-ter], with stress on the second syllable only, was first recorded in America before 1830. Although often criticized on the basis of analogy, this pronunciation has persisted in American English, increasing in frequency, and has gained popularity in British English as well. It is reinforced by words for instruments (rather than units) of measurement ending in -meter, as thermometer, barometer, and speedometer, having stress on the -om syllable. Both pronunciations are used by educated speakers, including members of the scientific community.
The usual pronunciation for units of measurement starting with kilo-, as kilocalorie, kiloliter, and kilohertz, as well as for units of length ending in the base word meter, as centimeter, hectometer, and millimeter, gives primary stress to the first syllable and secondary to the third. It would seem logical for kilometer to follow this pattern, and in fact the pronunciation
[kil-uh-mee-ter] has been used since the early 1800's. A second pronunciation: [ki-lom-i-ter], with stress on the second syllable only, was first recorded in America before 1830. Although often criticized on the basis of analogy, this pronunciation has persisted in American English, increasing in frequency, and has gained popularity in British English as well. It is reinforced by words for instruments (rather than units) of measurement ending in -meter, as thermometer, barometer, and speedometer, having stress on the -om syllable. Both pronunciations are used by educated speakers, including members of the scientific community.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To kilometers
| kil·o·me·ter (kĭ-lŏm'ĭ-tər, kĭl'ə-mē'tər) n. Abbr. km A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile). See Table at measurement. kil'o·met'ric (kĭl'ə-mět'rĭk) adj. Usage Note: Although the pronunciation of kilometer with stress on the second syllable, (kĭ-lŏm'ĭ-tər), is often censured because it does not conform to the stress pattern in millimeter and centimeter (it originally came about by false analogy with barometer and thermometer), it continues to thrive in American English. In a recent survey, 69 percent of the Usage Panel preferred this pronunciation, while 29 percent preferred the pronunciation (kĭl'ə-mē'tər). |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
| kilometer (kĭ-lŏm'ĭ-tər, kĭl'ə-mē'tər) Pronunciation Key
A unit of length in the metric system equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile). See Table at measurement. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
