megaton: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Figurative / Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “megaton” mean?
A unit of explosive energy equivalent to one million tons of TNT.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of explosive energy equivalent to one million tons of TNT.
An extremely large amount of something, often used figuratively to emphasize immense scale, force, or impact.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or grammatical differences. Usage patterns are identical in both dialects.
Connotations
In both dialects, the literal meaning is strongly associated with nuclear warfare and Cold War history. The figurative use carries connotations of overwhelming scale, often negative or destructive, but can be used hyperbolically in positive contexts (e.g., 'megaton success').
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, found in similar technical, political, and sensationalist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “megaton” in a Sentence
a [number] megaton [noun]of megaton proportionsequivalent to [number] megatonsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megaton” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The report predicted a megaton-scale economic fallout.
- They faced megaton-level criticism.
American English
- The scandal was a megaton story for the press.
- He dropped a megaton revelation during the debate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figurative: 'The CEO's resignation was a megaton shock to the stock market.'
Academic
Literal, in physics, history, or political science: 'The treaty capped warhead yields at 500 kilotons, well below the megaton range.'
Everyday
Rarely used literally. Figurative/hyperbolic: 'That plot twist in the film was a megaton surprise.'
Technical
Literal, precise measurement: 'The test device had an estimated yield of 1.2 megatons.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “megaton”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “megaton”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megaton”
- Misspelling as 'megatonne' (non-standard). Using it as a countable noun for non-explosive weight ('The ship weighed 50 megatons' is incorrect). Overusing the figurative sense in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary and most precise use is as a unit for explosive energy (especially nuclear), it is commonly used figuratively to describe anything of immense scale or impact.
A kiloton is equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT. A megaton is 1,000 kilotons, or one million tons of TNT. A megaton is 1,000 times more powerful.
No, 'megaton' is not standardly used as a verb. It functions as a noun and, informally, as an attributive noun (acting like an adjective before another noun).
The figurative use is generally informal or journalistic. In formal academic or technical writing, it should be reserved for its literal, quantitative meaning.
A unit of explosive energy equivalent to one million tons of TNT.
Megaton: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmeɡətʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmeɡəˌtʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[drop/land/hit] like a megaton bomb”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MEGA (meaning huge) + TON (a unit of weight). A MEGATON is a million tons of explosive power.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMMENSE IMPACT IS EXPLOSIVE YIELD (e.g., 'Her announcement had a megaton effect on public opinion').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'megaton' used MOST precisely?