Dictionary
calorie
noun cal·o·rie \ˈka-lə-rē, ˈkal-rē\
: a unit of heat used to indicate the amount of energy that foods will produce in the human body
plural cal·o·ries
Full Definition of CALORIE
1
a : the amount of heat required at a pressure of one atmosphere to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius that is equal to about 4.19 joules —abbreviation cal —called also gram calorie, small calorie b : the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water one degree Celsius : 1000 gram calories or 3.968 Btu —abbreviation Cal —called also large calorie
2
a : a unit equivalent to the large calorie expressing heat-producing or energy-producing value in food when oxidized in the body b : an amount of food having an energy-producing value of one large calorie
See calorie defined for English-language learners
See calorie defined for kids
Variants of CALORIE
cal·o·rie also cal·o·ry \ˈka-lə-rē, ˈkal-rē\
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Origin of CALORIE
French calorie, from Latin calor heat, from calēre to be warm — more at lee
First Known Use: 1866
Other Weights and Measures Terms
CALORY Defined for Kids
calorie
noun cal·o·rie \ˈka-lə-rē, ˈkal-rē\
Definition of CALORIE for Kids
1
: a unit for measuring heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius
2
: a unit of heat used to indicate the amount of energy foods produce in the human body that is equal to 1000 calories
Medical Dictionary
calorie
noun cal·o·rie
plural cal·o·ries
Medical Definition of CALORIE
1
a : the amount of heat required at a pressure of one atmosphere to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius that is equal to about 4.19 joules—abbreviation cal; called also gram calorie, small calorie b : the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water one degree Celsius that is equal to 1000 gram calories or 3.968 Btu—abbreviation Cal; called also kilocalorie, kilogram calorie, large calorie
2
a : a unit equivalent to the large calorie expressing heat-producing or energy-producing value in food when oxidized in the body b : an amount of food having an energy-producing value of one large calorie
Variants of CALORIE
cal·o·rie also cal·o·ry \ˈkal-(ə-)rē\
Learn More About CALORIE
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