What does kip mean?
A kip is a unit of force used chiefly in American engineering, especially when calculating the loads carried by beams, columns, cables, and other structures. One kip equals 1,000 pound-forces, making it a convenient unit for forces that would be cumbersome to express in pounds alone. The plural "kips" is particularly common in technical writing: for example, a structural member may be specified as having a capacity of 50 kips. The word has a separate, informal British use meaning a period of sleep, as in "I need to get some kip." In Scottish and northern English dialect, it has also traditionally meant a kick or blow. The engineering sense is therefore the dominant modern meaning, but the word can shift substantially in tone and topic depending on context.
nounA kip is a non-SI unit of force equal to 1,000 pound-forces, used chiefly in US structural engineering. In British informal English, it also means a short period of sleep.
- A non-SI unit of force equal to 1,000 pound-forces, used especially in US structural engineering.
- In British informal English, a short sleep or period of sleep.
- In Scottish and northern English dialect, a kick or blow.
"The engineers calculated that the column could support a load of 85 kips."
"The test rig applied a gradually increasing load of 40 kips."
"I only managed to get a couple of hours' kip on the train."
The plural "kips" is common in engineering contexts, particularly when stating numerical loads or capacities.
"The truss members can carry loads of up to 75 kips."
A kip sounds like a small kick, but in engineering it is the surprisingly massive force of one thousand pounds.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of kip
The engineering sense was coined in the early 20th century from the dialect word "kip," meaning a kick, as a name for a force of one thousand pounds. The informal British sense meaning sleep developed separately in colloquial usage. The dialect sense denoting a kick or blow is the older foundation of the word.
How kip is actually used
The engineering sense is usually used with numerals and commonly takes the plural form "kips." The British sense for sleep is informal and often appears in expressions such as "get some kip."