k

1 of 4

noun

ˈkā How to pronounce k (audio)
plural k's or ks ˈkāz How to pronounce k (audio)
often capitalized, often attributive
1
a
: the 11th letter of the English alphabet
b
: a graphic representation of this letter
c
: a speech counterpart of orthographic k
2
: a graphic device for reproducing the letter k
3
: one designated k especially as the 11th in order or class
4
: something shaped like the letter K
5
: a unit vector parallel to the z-axis
6
[kilo-] : thousand
a salary of $24K
7
[kilo-] : a unit of computer storage capacity equal to 1024 bytes
uses 350K of disk space
8
capitalized [struck] : strikeout

k

2 of 4

abbreviation (1)

1
karat
2
kindergarten
3
king
4
kitchen
5
knit
6
knot
7
koruna
8
kosher
—often enclosed in a circle
9
kyat

K

3 of 4

abbreviation (2)

1
Kelvin
2
kilometer

K

4 of 4

symbol

potassium

Example Sentences

Noun There is one k in “book.” The word ends in k. She earned a salary of $30K. The program uses 350K of disk space. The pitcher had more than 10 Ks in his last game.

Word History

Etymology

Symbol

New Latin kalium

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of k was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near k

K

k

K'ang-hsi

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“K.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/k. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

k

noun
ˈkā
often capitalized
1
: the 11th letter of the English alphabet
2
a
: thousand
b
: a unit of computer memory equal to 1024 bytes
3
capitalized : strikeout

Medical Definition

K

symbol
1
dissociation constant; ionization constant
2
[New Latin kalium] potassium
3
kelvin

More from Merriam-Webster on k

Nglish: Translation of k for Spanish Speakers

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