basal metabolic rate

noun

Definition of basal metabolic rate

: the rate at which heat is given off by an organism at complete rest

See basal metabolic rate defined for kids

Recent Examples of basal metabolic rate from the Web

Your basal metabolic rate, or resting metabolism, is the amount of energy or calories your body needs to perform basic functions like breathing and digesting food.

— andrea thelen, ms, Detroit Free Press, "5 tips to rev up your metabolism," 30 Apr. 2018
This gave them an idea of the fish’s basal metabolic rate — that is, how much energy the animals needed to sit around and do nothing.

— joanna klein, New York Times, "Clown Fish Need More Energy to Live in a Bleached Home," 10 Apr. 2018
Well, in one research study of young women, basal metabolic rate spiked by 4.2 percent 16 hours following a strength-training session that lasted an hour and 40 minutes—the equivalent of burning an extra 60 calories, on average.

— k. aleisha fetters, SELF, "How Much Does Strength Training Really Increase Metabolism?," 21 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'basal metabolic rate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.