TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

MICRON [1 record]

Record 1 2022-11-30

English

Subject field(s)
  • Metrology and Units of Measure
Universal entry(ies)
µm
symbol
µ
former designation, symbol
DEF

The metric unit of measure for length equal to 0.001 [millimetres, or one millionth of a metre].

CONT

The micrometre is commonly employed to measure the thickness or diameter of microscopic objects, such as microorganisms and colloidal particles. Minute distances—for example, the wavelengths of infrared radiation—are also given in micrometres.

OBS

In 1967 the International System of Units (SI) officially revoked the term "micron" and the symbol "μ." At that time, the systematic name "micrometre" became the official name of the unit, and "μm" became the official unit symbol.

Key term(s)
  • um

French

Domaine(s)
  • Unités de mesure et métrologie
Entrée(s) universelle(s)
µm
symbol
µ
former designation, symbol
DEF

Unité de mesure de longueur valant un millionième de mètre.

OBS

Dans le Système international d'unités (SI), le nom systématique «micromètre» est devenu le nom officiel de l'unité en 1967, et «μm» est devenu le symbole officiel de l'unité. À ce moment, le terme «micron» et le symbole «μ» ont été retirés.

Key term(s)
  • um

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Metrología y unidades de medida
Entrada(s) universal(es)
µm
symbol
µ
former designation, symbol
DEF

Unidad de longitud igual a una milésima de milímetro o millonésima de metro [en el sistema internacional de unidades].

OBS

En el sistema internacional de unidades, ya no se usan las voces micra y micrón, ahora reemplazadas por la de micrómetro.

OBS

micrón: Símbolo: µ (obsoleto).

Key term(s)
  • um
  • mu
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