Definition

A unit of weight that is equal to one thousandth of a gram.

Example

The doctor prescribed a dosage of five milligrams of the medication.

Conversation

Did you know that a milligram is one thousandth of a gram?

Really? I had no idea it was that small!

Yeah, it's used a lot in medicine for precise dosages.

That makes sense, especially when dealing with medications.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Milligram → It is formed from "milli-" (meaning one thousandth) and "gram" (from Greek "gramma", meaning a small weight). The word "milligram" refers to a unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a gram.

Memory Tip

Think of 'milli-' meaning one thousandth and 'gram' as a small weight — a milligram is a very tiny weight, specifically one thousandth of a gram.

Visually Confused Words