Mega (symbol M)
is a SI prefix in the
SI system of units
denoting a factor of 106,
ie one million; 1,000,000.
For example, a megawatt is 1,000,000 watts.
The prefix is sometimes applied in non-standard ways:
- one megaton
(a unit often used in measuring the power of nuclear
weapons) is 1,000,000 tons. The metric tonne is 1,000 kg, so it is
in fact this unit that should be called the megagram.
- in computing:
- A megabyte is
1,048,576 (220) bytes. The prefix mebi
has been suggested as an alternative.
- A megabit is 1,048,576 (220)
bits. I.e. Megabit/s.
"Mega", one of the most recent additions to teenage argot.
It substitutes for "cool", something I used 40 years ago as a kid. Nice to see
a new term. "Wow! That's mega. Much mega."