1. a unit of frequency equal to 1,000 cycles per second
Usage: technical; largely replaced by kilohertz

Examples

• The radio station broadcasts at 1,200 kilocycles.
• Old radio equipment was calibrated in kilocycles rather than kilohertz.
• The frequency meter showed 850 kilocycles per second.
• Engineers converted the kilocycle measurements to the modern kilohertz standard.
• The transmitter operated at 1,500 kilocycles.
• Vintage radios display their dial markings in kilocycles.