The plural of kilogram, the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), equal to 1,000 grams or approximately 2.2 pounds. It is one of the seven fundamental SI base units.
From French 'kilogramme,' combining Greek 'khilioi' (thousand) and 'gramma' (small weight). Established during the French Revolution as part of the metric system, reflecting Enlightenment ideals of rational, universal measurement standards.
The kilogram was the last SI unit defined by a physical object—a platinum-iridium cylinder kept in France—until 2019 when it was redefined using fundamental constants of physics! This change means the kilogram is now defined by the Planck constant, making it as unchanging as the laws of physics themselves.
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