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Definition of kelvin

kelvin

/ˈkɛl.vɪn/
kel · vin
Plural:kelvins
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kelvin Lexical Profile

kelvin Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The base unit of thermodynamic temperature in the International System of Units (SI), equal in magnitude to one degree Celsius and defined such that zero kelvin represents absolute zero (−273.15 °C).

Example

"Liquid nitrogen boils at approximately 77 kelvins under standard atmospheric pressure."

Word Nuance & Usage

Since 1967, the SI unit 'kelvin' is written in lowercase and used without the word 'degree' or the degree symbol (e.g., '300 K' or '300 kelvins', rather than '300 degrees Kelvin').

• Nearby Words

kelp
kelpfish
kelpie
kelvin
kemijoki
kemp ridley sea turtle
kemp's ridley sea turtle

Word Origin & Etymology

Named in honor of the British physicist and mathematician William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824–1907), who developed the absolute thermodynamic temperature scale; his peerage title was taken from the River Kelvin, which flows past the University of Glasgow.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kelvin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kelvin
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