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kilobyte

noun
ki·​lo·​byte | \ ˈkē-lə-ˌbīt How to pronounce kilobyte (audio) , ˈki-lə-\

Definition of kilobyte

: a unit of computer information equal to 1024 bytes also : one thousand bytes
Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about kilobyte

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Did You Know?

Knowing the root kilo-, you might think a kilobyte would be exactly 1,000 bytes. But actually a kilobyte represents the power of 2 that comes closest to 1,000: that is, 210 (2 to the 10th power), or 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2, or 1,024. Why 2? Because the capacity of memory chips is always based on powers of 2. Locations in electronic memory circuits are identified by binary numbers (numbers that use only the digits 0 and 1), so the number of addressable locations becomes a power of 2.

Examples of kilobyte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Voyager’s computer systems could only hold 69 kilobytes of information, barely enough for one image, let alone 115. — Cory Zapatka, The Verge, "Decoding images from the Golden Record," 30 Oct. 2018 According to TechCrunch, the app is just 573 kilobytes, or 1/55th the size of the 32 megabyte regular app. — Natasha Bach, Fortune, "Facebook Launches Instagram Lite With Its Eyes Set on the Developing World," 28 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kilobyte.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of kilobyte

1970, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for kilobyte

from the fact that 1024 (210) is the power of 2 closest to 1000

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More Definitions for kilobyte

kilobyte

noun
How to pronounce kilobyte (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of kilobyte

: a unit of computer information equal to 1,024 bytes

See the full definition for kilobyte in the English Language Learners Dictionary

kilobyte

noun
ki·​lo·​byte | \ ˈki-lə-ˌbīt How to pronounce kilobyte (audio) \

Kids Definition of kilobyte

: a unit of computer information storage equal to 1024 bytes

More from Merriam-Webster on kilobyte

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with kilobyte

Spanish Central: Translation of kilobyte

Nglish: Translation of kilobyte for Spanish Speakers

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