Definition:Metric System/Length/Kilometre

Kilometre

The kilometre is a metric unit of length.

$\ds $

$\ds 1$

kilometre

$\ds $

$=$

$\ds 1000$

$\ds $

$=$

$\ds 100 \, 000$

$\ds $

$=$

$\ds 10^6$

$\ds $

$=$

$\ds 39 \, 370 \cdotp 4$

$\ds $

$=$

$\ds 0.621$

The symbol for the kilometre is $\mathrm {km}$:

$\mathrm k$ for kilo

$\mathrm m$ for metre.

It is commonplace to pronounce the word kilometre with the stress on the second syllable: kil-o-me-ter.

However, the pronunciation kil-o-me-ter is also heard.

1944: Alfred E. Holbrow: Geometrical Drawing (12th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Section $\text I$. Introduction
1966: Isaac Asimov: Understanding Physics ... (previous) ... (next): $\text {I}$: Motion, Sound and Heat: Chapter $2$: Falling Bodies: Free Fall