k

1 of 4

noun

ˈkā

plural k's or ks ˈkāz

often capitalized, often attributive

: the 11th letter of the English alphabet

: a graphic representation of this letter

: a speech counterpart of orthographic k

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter k

: one designated k especially as the 11th in order or class

: something shaped like the letter K

: a unit vector parallel to the z-axis

[kilo-] : thousand

a salary of $24K

[kilo-] : a unit of computer storage capacity equal to 1024 bytes

uses 350K of disk space

capitalized [struck] : strikeout

2 of 4

abbreviation (1)

karat

kindergarten

king

kitchen

knit

knot

koruna

kosher

—often enclosed in a circle

kyat

3 of 4

abbreviation (2)

Kelvin

kilometer

4 of 4

symbol

potassium

Examples of k in a Sentence

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

See more words from the same century

Articles Related to k

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

When each letter can be seen but not heard

Absent Letters That Are Heard Anyway

They aren't seen but they are heard

7 Uncommonly Doubled Letters

For word games and other shenanigans

Cite this Entry

Style

“K.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/k. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

noun

ˈkā

often capitalized

: the 11th letter of the English alphabet

: thousand

: a unit of computer memory equal to 1024 bytes

capitalized : strikeout

Medical Definition

symbol

dissociation constant; ionization constant

[New Latin kalium] potassium

kelvin

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k

noun

abbreviation (1)

abbreviation (2)

symbol

Examples of k in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near k

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition