Definition

A unit of measurement for explosive force that is equal to one billion tons of TNT.

Example

The explosion was measured at a force of several gigatons.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new study on climate change?

Yeah, they said we need to reduce emissions by at least a few gigaton to make a difference.

That's such a huge amount to tackle, isn't it?

Absolutely, it's going to take a lot of effort from everyone.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gigaton → It is formed from "giga-" (from Greek "gigas", meaning giant) and "ton" (from Latin "tonna", meaning a unit of weight). The word "gigaton" refers to a unit of mass equivalent to one billion tons, emphasizing its immense size.

Memory Tip

Think of 'giga-' meaning giant, which helps you remember that a gigaton is a giant unit of weight, specifically one billion tons.

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