Main Entry: cal·o·rie

Variant(s): also cal·o·ry \ˈkal-(ə-)rē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural cal·o·ries

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