The usual pronunciation for units of measurement starting with
kilo-, as
kilocalorie, kiloliter, and
kilohertz, as well as for units of length ending in the base word
meter, as
centimeter, hectometer, and
millimeter, gives primary stress to the first syllable and secondary to the third. It would seem logical for kilometer to follow this pattern, and in fact the pronunciation
[kil-uh-mee-ter] /ˈkɪl əˌmi tər/ (Show IPA) has been used since the early 1800's. A second pronunciation:
[ki-lom-i-ter] /kɪˈlɒm ɪ tər/ with stress on the second syllable only, was first recorded in America before 1830. Although often criticized on the basis of analogy, this pronunciation has persisted in American English, increasing in frequency, and has gained popularity in British English as well. It is reinforced by words for instruments (rather than units) of measurement ending in
-meter, as
thermometer, barometer, and
speedometer, having stress on the
-om syllable. Both pronunciations are used by educated speakers, including members of the scientific community.