What does CARAT mean?

Carat

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A unit of weight for precious stones and pearls, equivalent to 200 milligrams.

Pronunciation (US): /ˈkærət/

Pronunciation (UK): /ˈkarət/

Origin and Usage: The word "carat" comes from the Greek word "keration," which means "fruit of the carob tree." In ancient times, carob seeds were used as a standard for weighing precious stones because they were believed to be uniform in weight. The usage of the word "carat" as a unit of weight for precious stones dates back to the 16th century.

Synonyms: Karat

Related Words: Karat

Example Sentences:

• She bought a diamond ring that was one carat.
• The emerald was unusually large, weighing in at 10 carats.
• He was surprised to learn that the value of the gemstone was determined by its carat weight.