Definition

1. Noun:
   • A unit of mass: A quintal is a unit of weight or mass. It has two primary definitions:

     • 100 pounds: In the United States customary system, a quintal is equal to 100 pounds (approximately 45.36 kilograms).
     • 100 kilograms: In the metric system, a quintal is equal to 100 kilograms (approximately 220.46 pounds). This is sometimes called a "metric quintal."

Usage

• The word quintal is used to measure weight, typically for agricultural products, grains, or other commodities.
• It is important to specify the system (U.S. or metric) when using this term to avoid confusion, as the values differ significantly.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer harvested a quintal of wheat from the field. (This could mean 100 kg or 100 lbs, depending on context.)
  • In many European markets, crop yields are reported in metric quintals per hectare.
  • The old shipping manifest listed the cargo as weighing five quintals.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The quintal has historical roots and its exact value has varied in different countries and eras. The modern definitions standardize it.
• "Quintal" vs. "Hundredweight": In the U.S., a quintal (100 lbs) is distinct from a "hundredweight" (cwt), which is 100 lbs in the U.S. but 112 lbs in the British imperial system.

Variants and Related Words

• Metric quintal: Specifically denotes 100 kilograms.
• Quintalage (n, rare): A quantity or weight expressed in quintals.

Synonyms

• Hundredweight (specifically for the 100-pound definition in the U.S.).
• Centner (a term used in some European languages for a unit of 100 kilograms).

Notes on Meaning

• The dual meaning (100 lbs / 100 kg) is a key point of confusion. The metric definition (100 kg) is more common in international trade and science.
• This word is considered technical and is less common in everyday conversation than units like "ton" or "kilogram."

Noun

1. a United States unit of weight equivalent to 100 pounds
2. a unit of weight equal to 100 kilograms