Km: meaning, definitions and examples

📏
Add to dictionary

km

 

[ kɪˈlɒmɪtə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

unit of measurement

A kilometer, commonly abbreviated as km, is a unit of length equal to 1000 meters. It is used to measure distances in many countries around the world.

Synonyms

kilometre.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
km

Typically used in informal contexts, such as in conversations, text messages, or casual writing where brevity is preferred.

  • The nearest gas station is 5 km away
  • She runs 10 km every morning
kilometre

Used in formal writing, scientific contexts, or when precision is required. Commonly seen in academic papers, official documents, or technical reports.

  • The highway stretches for several kilometres
  • Researchers measured the migration path, which was over 150 kilometres long

Examples of usage

  • The marathon is 42 kilometers long.
  • The school is located just a few kilometers away.
Context #2 | Noun

abbreviation

KM can also stand for 'knowledge management' in a business context, referring to the process of creating, sharing, using, and managing knowledge and information within an organization.

Synonyms

knowledge management.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
km

Use 'km' in formal writing or professional documents, like scientific papers or business reports, where it stands as the standard unit of measurement for distance.

  • The distance between the two cities is approximately 300 km.
  • Please note that the survey area covers 50 km in radius.
knowledge management

Use 'knowledge management' in business, academic, or professional settings to describe the process of handling and optimizing the use of information within an organization or system.

  • Effective knowledge management can lead to more innovative ideas and better decision-making.
  • Our company is implementing a new knowledge management system to improve internal communication.

Examples of usage

  • The company implemented a new KM system to improve efficiency.
  • She specializes in KM strategies for large corporations.
Context #3 | Noun

internet slang

In internet slang, 'KM' can be an abbreviation for 'kiss me', often used in text messages or online chat to request a kiss from someone.

Synonyms

kiss me.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
km

This word is an abbreviation for 'kilometer,' which is a unit of measure for distance commonly used in most countries around the world.

  • The finish line is just 3 km away.
  • She ran 5 km this morning as part of her training.
kiss me

This phrase is used in romantic contexts, typically as a request or an expression of affection between two people.

  • He looked into her eyes and softly said, 'Kiss me.'
  • At the end of the date, he whispered, 'Kiss me,' and she did.

Examples of usage

  • He sent her a message saying 'KM' at the end of the conversation.
  • KM, please! 💋

Translations

Translations of the word "km" in other languages:

🇵🇹 quilômetro

🇮🇳 किलोमीटर

🇩🇪 Kilometer

🇮🇩 kilometer

🇺🇦 кілометр

🇵🇱 kilometr

🇯🇵 キロメートル

🇫🇷 kilomètre

🇪🇸 kilómetro

🇹🇷 kilometre

🇰🇷 킬로미터

🇸🇦 كيلومتر

🇨🇿 kilometr

🇸🇰 kilometer

🇨🇳 公里

🇸🇮 kilometer

🇮🇸 kílómetri

🇰🇿 километр

🇬🇪 კილომეტრი

🇦🇿 kilometr

🇲🇽 kilómetro

Etymology

The term 'kilometer' originated from the French word 'kilomètre', which was created from the Greek words 'khilioi' (thousand) and 'metros' (measure). The use of kilometers as a unit of measurement can be traced back to the metric system developed during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. Since then, kilometers have become a widely accepted unit of measurement for distances worldwide.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,353, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.