WordGarden.iomegaton
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɛɡətən/
US
- /ˈmɛɡəˌtən/
Meanings
Noun
a unit of explosive yield equal to one million tons of TNT
one million tons, used as a unit for mass, output, or emissions
Beyond the definition
A megaton is not just a way to say something is big - it is a unit used to measure the force of a very large explosion, especially a nuclear one. One megaton equals the energy of one million tons of TNT. In everyday language, people also use it more loosely to describe something huge or powerful, such as a "megaton" scandal or announcement. The word became widely known during the Cold War, when nuclear weapon strength was often discussed in these terms.
The word "megaton" comes from "mega-" (meaning million) and "ton." It is used to measure the energy released by a very large explosion, most famously a nuclear one. One megaton means a force equal to the explosion of one million tons of TNT.
During the Cold War, weapons measured in megatons became symbols of extreme destructive power. The Tsar Bomba, tested by the Soviet Union in 1961, is still known as the most powerful nuclear weapon ever exploded, with a yield of about 50 megatons.
But the word is not always about bombs. It is also used in a figurative way for something enormous or something that has a huge impact. You might hear about a "megaton" announcement in the news or a "megaton" problem that affects many people at once.
So, while the word began as a technical way to talk about explosive force, it also came to describe events, problems, or actions that feel extremely large or powerful.
Examples
- 1
Nuclear weapon
The bomb was designed to produce a one-megaton blast.
- 2
Explosion measurement
The explosion was measured in megatons of TNT.
- 3
Carbon emissions
The report says the new rules could cut carbon emissions by several megatons a year.
See also
Similar
- million tons of TNT equivalent
- Mt
Contrast
- kiloton
- gigaton
Used with (collocations)
- megaton yield
- one-megaton bomb
- megaton-class
Word family
- mega-
- ton
Explore
- TNT equivalent
- nuclear weapon yield
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- megatonnoun
Forms
- megatonspluralnoun