kilometre

UK: ˈkɪləˌmiːtə | US: kɪˈlɑːmɪtər

Definition

  1. n. a metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (approximately 0.62 miles).

Structure
kilo <thousand>metre <measure>
Etymology

kilometre = kilo<thousand> + metre<measure>

  • kilo: From Greek khilioi (thousand), adopted into French as kilo- in the metric system.
  • metre: From Greek metron (measure), via French mètre.

Etymology Origin:
The word kilometre emerged during the French Revolution (1790s) as part of the metric system’s development. Kilo- standardized the multiplier (1,000), while metre derived from the Greek metron, reflecting the system’s goal of universal, decimal-based measurement. The term spread globally with the metric system’s adoption.

Examples

  1. The marathon is 42.195 kilometres long.

  2. Mount Everest is about 8.8 kilometres high.

  3. She cycles five kilometres to work daily.

  4. The speed limit is 60 kilometres per hour.

  5. The coastline stretches for hundreds of kilometres.