kilometer
B1Neutral to formal; widely used in all registers, especially in contexts involving measurement, travel, sports, and science.
Definition
Meaning
A unit of length in the metric system equal to one thousand metres.
A measure of distance, often used to gauge journeys, races, or geographical spans. Figuratively, it can denote a significant amount or effort (e.g., "go the extra kilometer").
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun of measurement. In figurative use, it emphasizes distance or extent. The spelling and pronunciation differences between UK and US English are a notable feature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary difference is in spelling and pronunciation. In British English, the word is predominantly spelt 'kilometre' and stressed on the second syllable (kɪˈlɒmɪtə). In American English, the spelling 'kilometer' is standard, with primary stress often on the first syllable (ˈkɪləmiːtər).
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation. The word is neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties, though the preferred spelling and pronunciation differ. In UK scientific and official writing, 'kilometre' is the standard. In the US, 'kilometer' is universal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NUM + ~ (e.g., five kilometers)~ + of + NOUN (e.g., kilometers of road)~ + PREP (e.g., kilometers from the coast)V + ~ (e.g., cover a kilometer)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go the extra kilometer”
- “Not a kilometer too soon”
- “Kilometers away (figuratively, inattentive)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in logistics, shipping, and transport planning (e.g., 'fuel cost per kilometer').
Academic
Standard unit in scientific papers, geography, and physics for reporting distances.
Everyday
Common in giving directions, discussing travel, and describing running or walking distances.
Technical
Precise unit in engineering, cartography, and athletics; used with SI prefixes (e.g., megameter, hectometer).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They will kilometre the route for accuracy. (rare/technical)
American English
- The team will kilometer the trail for the race. (rare/technical)
adverb
British English
- The car was travelling kilometre after kilometre. (quasi-adverbial)
American English
- He ran kilometer after kilometer. (quasi-adverbial)
adjective
British English
- A twenty-kilometre hike
- The kilometre-long queue
American English
- A ten-kilometer run
- The kilometer-deep canyon
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My school is one kilometer from my house.
- We walked three kilometers in the park.
- The airport is approximately 15 kilometers south of the city centre.
- He can run a kilometer in under four minutes.
- The new highway reduced travel time by shaving off several kilometers from the journey.
- Scientists measured the glacier's retreat in hundreds of cubic kilometers.
- The proposal envisaged a congestion charge for every vehicle kilometer driven within the urban zone.
- Geological surveys indicated a mineral deposit stretching for several square kilometers at a depth of over two kilometers.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'KILO' (meaning thousand) + 'METER' – it's a thousand meters. Visualize a football field (about 0.1 km); ten of them in a row make a kilometer.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTANCE IS A QUANTIFIABLE OBJECT (e.g., 'We put kilometers behind us'); PROGRESS IS TRAVEL (e.g., 'We're kilometers ahead of schedule').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'kilometer' as 'kilometr' in English spelling—use the correct English spelling. Remember that in the UK it's 'kilometre'.
- Russian uses a comma as a decimal separator (e.g., 5,5 km). In English, a point is used (5.5 km).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'kilometre' in American English or 'kilometer' in British English.
- Incorrect pluralisation ('kilometeres'). The plural is 'kilometers' (US) or 'kilometres' (UK).
- Confusing abbreviation: 'km' is standard, not 'kms'.
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling and primary stress pattern is standard in American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, but they are regional variants. 'Kilometer' is American English. 'Kilometre' is British and Commonwealth English.
In American English, the most common pronunciation has primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈkɪləmiːtər/ (KILL-uh-mee-ter). A less common variant stresses the second syllable: /kəˈlɑːmətər/ (kuh-LAH-muh-ter).
The correct abbreviation is 'km'. It is written in lowercase and is internationally recognized. Do not use a period (full stop) after it (e.g., 5 km, not 5 km.).
It is extremely rare and non-standard to use 'kilometer' as a verb. In most contexts, use phrases like 'measure in kilometers' or 'cover a kilometer' instead.