130 Science Words That Start With K and Their Meanings

Science is built on words. Each word carries knowledge, meaning, and history. When you explore science words that start with K, you step into a fascinating world of physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and technology. These terms help students, teachers, and researchers understand how the natural world works. The letter K is more important in science than many people think. From the Kelvin temperature scale to the potassium element K, it connects different fields and ideas.

This article brings together a complete list of science words starting with K. It explains each word in easy English, shows how it is used in science, and organizes it by subject. Whether you are searching for science vocabulary K words for school or exploring advanced topics like kinematics in physics, this guide works like a full science dictionary K with examples.

Physics Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Kelvin	Temperature scale with absolute zero as starting point	Water freezes at 273 Kelvin.
Kinematics	Study of motion without considering forces	A ball’s path was studied using kinematics.
Kinetic Energy	Energy of motion	A moving car has kinetic energy.
Kilowatt	Unit of power equal to 1000 watts	A heater uses 2 kilowatts per hour.
Kilogram	Standard unit of mass in science	The block weighs 5 kilograms.
Kilojoule	Unit of energy equal to 1000 joules	The food gives 2 kilojoules of energy.
Kilo-ohm	Electrical resistance equal to 1000 ohms	The circuit used a 5 kilo-ohm resistor.
Kilovolt	1000 volts of electric potential	Power lines carry thousands of kilovolts.
Kilonewton	Force equal to 1000 newtons	The rocket produced 20 kilonewtons of thrust.
Kelvin-Planck Statement	Principle of thermodynamics about heat engines	No engine can convert all heat into work.

Chemistry Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Potassium (K)	Soft, reactive metal in periodic table	Bananas contain potassium.
Krypton	Noble gas element used in lighting	Krypton gas is in some light bulbs.
Ketone	Organic compound with carbonyl group	Nail polish remover has ketones.
Kerosene	Liquid fuel derived from petroleum	Kerosene lamps were used before electricity.
Kaolin	White clay mineral used in ceramics	Kaolin is used to make porcelain.
Kieserite	Magnesium sulfate mineral used as fertilizer	Farmers use kieserite to enrich soil.
Kraton Polymer	Type of synthetic rubber	Kraton is used in medical devices.
Kinetics	Study of reaction rates in chemistry	The kinetics of the reaction were measured.
Knoevenagel Reaction	Chemical reaction forming carbon bonds	Scientists used the Knoevenagel reaction in synthesis.
Kirkendall Effect	Movement of atoms in diffusion	The Kirkendall effect is seen in alloys.

Biology Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Keratin	Protein found in hair and nails	Hair is made of keratin.
Kidneys	Organs that filter waste from blood	Healthy kidneys remove toxins.
Karyotype	Picture of chromosomes in a cell	Doctors checked the baby’s karyotype.
Kingdom	Largest classification group in biology	Plants belong to the plant kingdom.
Krill	Small shrimp-like creatures in oceans	Whales eat krill.
Killer Cells	Immune cells that destroy harmful cells	Natural killer cells fight infections.
Krebs Cycle	Energy cycle in cells	Cells produce energy through the Krebs cycle.
Kinase	Enzyme that speeds chemical reactions	Kinase controls cell growth.
Kelp	Large brown seaweed	Kelp forests provide food for sea animals.
Karyoplasm	Material inside a cell nucleus	DNA floats in the karyoplasm.

Earth Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Karst	Landscape shaped by dissolving rock	Karst regions have caves and sinkholes.
Kaibab Formation	Geological rock layer in Arizona	The Grand Canyon has the Kaibab formation.
Kame	Hill made of sand and gravel by glaciers	Hikers climbed a kame near the valley.
Kimberlite	Volcanic rock that carries diamonds	Diamonds are found in kimberlite pipes.
Kaolin Clay	Soft white clay in soils	Kaolin clay improves soil quality.
Krakatoa	Famous volcanic island in Indonesia	Krakatoa erupted in 1883.
Knickpoint	Sharp change in river slope	Waterfalls form at a knickpoint.
Kuiper Belt	Region of icy bodies beyond Neptune	Pluto lies in the Kuiper Belt.
Kettle Lake	Lake formed by melting glaciers	Minnesota has many kettle lakes.
Keystone Species	Species crucial to ecosystem balance	Wolves are keystone species in Yellowstone.

Technology & Math Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Kilobyte	Unit of digital storage (1000 bytes)	A photo takes 200 kilobytes of space.
Kilobit	Unit of data (1000 bits)	Internet speed is measured in kilobits per second.
K-factor	Ratio used in engineering and hydraulics	Engineers used a K-factor for pipe design.
Kinematics (Robotics)	Study of robot motion	Robot arms move using kinematics.
Knowledge	Stored information in science	Knowledge grows with experiments.
KiloPascal	Pressure unit equal to 1000 pascals	Tire pressure is measured in kilopascals.
Kernel (Math)	Set of elements mapped to zero	The kernel is key in linear algebra.
Knot (Navigation)	Speed unit in nautical science	Ships travel at 20 knots.
Kilohertz	Frequency equal to 1000 cycles per second	Radios operate in kilohertz ranges.
Kilovolt-Ampere	Electrical unit of power	Transformers are rated in kilovolt-amperes.

Forensic & Medical Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Karyotyping	Chromosome study for genetic testing	Karyotyping detected Down syndrome.
Keratitis	Inflammation of the cornea in the eye	The patient had keratitis after an infection.
Ketoacidosis	Dangerous condition with high blood acids	Diabetics risk ketoacidosis.
Keratoplasty	Cornea transplant surgery	Keratoplasty restored the patient’s vision.
Karyorrhexis	Nuclear breakdown during cell death	Karyorrhexis happens in dying cells.
Keloid	Raised scar tissue	The wound healed but left a keloid.
Kymograph	Device measuring pressure changes	Kymographs recorded breathing patterns.
Keratocyte	Cells that form cornea structure	Keratocytes keep eyes healthy.
Karyolysis	Dissolution of cell nucleus	Karyolysis occurs in necrosis.
Kwashiorkor	Disease from protein deficiency	The child suffered from kwashiorkor.

Astronomy Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Kepler’s Law	Laws of planetary motion	Planets follow Kepler’s laws around the Sun.
Kepler Space Telescope	NASA telescope that found exoplanets	The Kepler telescope discovered Earth-like planets.
Kuiper Object	Icy body in the Kuiper Belt	Pluto is a Kuiper object.
Kelvin Scale	Absolute temperature scale	Stars’ heat is measured in Kelvin.
Kilonova	Explosion from neutron star collisions	Astronomers observed a kilonova in 2017.
Keplerian Orbit	Path defined by Kepler’s laws	Satellites move in Keplerian orbits.
Kronian	Related to planet Saturn	Kronian moons include Titan.
Kepler-22b	Exoplanet discovered by Kepler telescope	Kepler-22b may support liquid water.
K-band (Astronomy)	Radio wave frequency range	Telescopes detect signals in the K-band.
Kepler Crater	Lunar crater named after Kepler	Kepler crater is visible on the Moon.

Genetics Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Karyogenesis	Formation of a cell nucleus	Karyogenesis occurs during cell development.
Knock-in Gene	Introduced foreign gene in DNA	Scientists use knock-in mice for research.
Kinase Gene	Gene that encodes kinase enzymes	Kinase genes regulate cell signals.
Karyomere	Chromatin-bound unit in a dividing cell	Karyomeres appear during early mitosis.
Kinetochore DNA	DNA sequence binding spindle fibers	Kinetochores help pull chromosomes apart.
Karyotypic Evolution	Changes in chromosome structure	Plants show karyotypic evolution.
KIR Genes	Genes controlling immune cell receptors	KIR genes affect immune strength.
Karyokinesis Genes	Genes regulating nuclear division	Mutations in these genes cause defects.
Kleisin	Protein in chromosome cohesion	Kleisin proteins hold chromatids together.
KRAS Gene	Cancer-related mutation gene	KRAS mutations drive tumor growth.

Environmental Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Kyoto Protocol	Global climate agreement	The Kyoto Protocol reduced emissions.
Keystone Habitat	Ecosystem supporting many species	Coral reefs are keystone habitats.
Kauri Trees	Ancient carbon-storing trees	Kauri forests store greenhouse gases.
Karoo	Semi-desert region studied in ecology	The Karoo has unique plants.
Kettle Lake	Lake formed by melting glaciers	Minnesota has many kettle lakes.
Komodo Dragon	Reptile important in biodiversity	Komodo dragons are top predators.
Krummholz	Stunted trees in harsh climates	Krummholz grows near mountain tops.
Kudzu	Invasive climbing plant	Kudzu overtakes forests quickly.
Kelp Forest	Marine ecosystem with giant kelp	Sea otters live in kelp forests.
King Tide	Extra-high coastal tide	King tides flood coastal cities.

Medical Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Keratoconus	Eye disease causing cornea thinning	Keratoconus blurs vision.
Kawasaki Disease	Childhood illness causing blood vessel inflammation	Kawasaki disease needs urgent care.
Keratosis	Skin condition of thick patches	Doctors remove keratosis if severe.
Keto Diet	High-fat diet affecting metabolism	A keto diet raises blood ketones.
Ketogenesis	Process of producing ketones	Ketogenesis occurs during fasting.
Kinesiology	Study of human movement	Physical therapists use kinesiology.
Kymography	Charting physiological movements	Kymography records breathing patterns.
Kidney Stones	Hard deposits in kidneys	Kidney stones cause severe pain.
Keratinocyte	Skin cell producing keratin	Keratinocytes form protective skin layers.
Kallmann Syndrome	Rare disorder affecting puberty	Kallmann syndrome delays growth.

Engineering Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Kilowatt	1,000 watts of power	Engines use kilowatts to measure power.
Kilogram-Force	Force of gravity on one kilogram	Machines measure load in kilogram-force.
Kinematic Chain	Linked system of moving parts	Robots use kinematic chains.
Klystron	Amplifier for high-frequency waves	Klystrons power radar systems.
Kalman Filter	Algorithm predicting data	Self-driving cars use Kalman filters.
Kevlar	Strong synthetic fiber	Kevlar is used in bulletproof vests.
Knockdown Structure	Easily assembled structure	Prefab houses are knockdown structures.
Kinematic Pair	Two connected machine parts	Engines use kinematic pairs.
Kilopascal	Pressure unit (1,000 pascals)	Tire pressure is measured in kilopascals.
K-Value	Thermal conductivity factor	Engineers use K-value in insulation design.

Geology Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Kimberlite Pipe	Geological structure with diamonds	Diamonds form in kimberlite pipes.
Kaolinite	Clay mineral from weathering	Kaolinite is used in ceramics.
Komatiite	Ancient volcanic rock	Komatiite formed in Earth’s early crust.
Kyanite	Blue mineral used in ceramics	Kyanite mined for industry.
Katabatic Wind	Strong downslope wind	Antarctica has katabatic winds.
Karoo Basin	Fossil-rich rock basin	Karoo Basin holds dinosaur fossils.
Klippe	Block of rock pushed by tectonics	The Alps have klippe formations.
Kimberlite Lava	Magma carrying diamonds	Kimberlite lava erupts from deep Earth.
Krakatoa Ash	Volcanic debris from eruption	Krakatoa ash spread worldwide.
Krypton Mineral Trace	Rare noble gas in rocks	Krypton traces found in lava.

Zoology Science Words That Start With K

Word	Meaning	Example
Kangaroo Rat	Desert rodent with strong legs	Kangaroo rats store seeds underground.
King Cobra	World’s longest venomous snake	King cobras prey on other snakes.
Kiwi Bird	Flightless bird from New Zealand	Kiwi birds are nocturnal.
Koala	Tree-dwelling marsupial	Koalas eat eucalyptus leaves.
Kite (Bird)	Bird of prey with long wings	Black kites hunt small mammals.
Krill Shrimp	Tiny crustacean eaten by whales	Krill form large swarms.
Kudu	African antelope species	Kudus live in woodlands.
Kakapo	Large nocturnal parrot	Kakapos are critical endangered.
Killdeer	Ground-nesting bird	Killdeer pretend injury to distract predators.
Kingfisher	Bright bird that catches fish	Kingfishers dive into rivers for fish.

Conclusion

The letter K plays a major role in science. From kelvin temperature scale in physics to the potassium element K in chemistry and keratin in hair and nails in biology, these words shape how we understand the world. Students, teachers, and researchers use these science terms starting with K every day.

Exploring this list of science words starting with K gives you a richer vocabulary and deeper knowledge. The next time you see K words in science, remember how they connect numbers, energy, living things, and the planet itself.