mks units: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical, Academic, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “mks units” mean?
A coherent system of physical units based on the metre, kilogram, and second as fundamental units of length, mass, and time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A coherent system of physical units based on the metre, kilogram, and second as fundamental units of length, mass, and time.
The MKS system is a metric system of measurement and served as the basis for the development of the International System of Units (SI).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; identical usage in scientific contexts.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in technical writing in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “mks units” in a Sentence
the MKS units of [physical quantity]express [quantity] in MKS unitsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mks units” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- MKS-unit measurements are standard.
- The MKS-unit framework.
American English
- MKS-unit calculations are fundamental.
- An MKS-unit approach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical or foundational contexts in physics and engineering textbooks.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used as a specific term in physics, metrology, and engineering history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mks units”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mks units”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mks units”
- Writing 'MKs units' (incorrect capitalisation).
- Confusing it with SI, though SI is its direct descendant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not directly; they have been incorporated and extended into the International System of Units (SI), which is the modern standard.
MKS uses metre, kilogram, second, while CGS uses centimetre, gram, second. MKS units are generally larger and more practical for engineering.
Plural. It refers to a set of units. You refer to 'the MKS system' as singular.
Primarily in historical or foundational textbooks on physics, engineering, or the history of science and measurement.
A coherent system of physical units based on the metre, kilogram, and second as fundamental units of length, mass, and time.
Mks units is usually technical, academic, scientific in register.
Mks units: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɛm.keɪˈɛs ˈjuː.nɪts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɛm.keɪˈɛs ˈjuː.nɪts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
My Kitchen Scale (M-K-S) measures kilograms and seconds with a metre rule.
Conceptual Metaphor
A foundational building block (for modern measurement).
Practice
Quiz
What does the 'K' in MKS units stand for?