cgs units: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “cgs units” mean?
A system of physical units based on the centimetre, gram, and second as fundamental units.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of physical units based on the centimetre, gram, and second as fundamental units.
A coherent metric system of units used primarily in physics and engineering, now largely superseded by the SI (Système International) system. It was used to express quantities like force (dyne), energy (erg), and pressure (barye).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both regions transitioned to SI units in scientific and educational contexts at similar times.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes older textbooks, classical physics, or specialized fields like astrophysics and electromagnetism where cgs formulations sometimes persist.
Frequency
Equally low and specialized in both regions, found almost exclusively in historical, pedagogical, or niche technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cgs units” in a Sentence
[Verb] in cgs unitsConvert [noun] to cgs unitsThe [noun] is given in cgs unitsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cgs units” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cgs unit of force is the dyne.
- We need the cgs value for this constant.
American English
- The cgs system is less common now.
- He quoted the pressure in cgs units.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in physics, engineering, and history of science contexts to discuss historical data, classical theories, or for pedagogical comparison with SI.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used in specific technical fields (e.g., certain branches of astrophysics, magnetism) where cgs formulations simplify equations, and in technical documentation referring to legacy data.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cgs units”
- Pronouncing it as /sɪgz/ instead of letter-by-letter /ˌsiːˌdʒiːˈes/.
- Using 'cgs' as a singular noun (e.g., 'one cgs') instead of 'a cgs unit' or 'the cgs system'.
- Confusing the derived units (e.g., dyne, erg) with their SI counterparts (newton, joule).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is largely obsolete in most applied sciences and international standards, having been replaced by SI. However, it persists in some theoretical physics and astrophysics contexts because certain equations become simpler.
The fundamental difference is the base units: cgs uses centimetre, gram, second; SI uses metre, kilogram, second. This leads to different derived units (e.g., dyne vs. newton for force).
Yes, the dyne is the cgs unit of force. One dyne is the force needed to accelerate a mass of one gram by one centimetre per second squared.
Primarily to read and understand older scientific literature, or to work in specialised fields like classical electromagnetism or astrophysics where cgs formulations are still sometimes employed for mathematical convenience.
A system of physical units based on the centimetre, gram, and second as fundamental units.
Cgs units is usually technical/scientific in register.
Cgs units: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsiːˌdʒiːˈes ˈjuːnɪts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsiˌdʒiˈɛs ˈjunəts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
**C**entimetres, **G**rams, **S**econds – the three building blocks of the old system.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MEASURING SYSTEM IS A LANGUAGE (cgs is an older dialect of the metric language).
Practice
Quiz
What does the 'g' in 'cgs units' stand for?