caloric

1 of 2

noun

ca·​lo·​ric kə-ˈlȯr-ik 

1

: a supposed form of matter formerly held responsible for the phenomena of heat and combustion

2

archaic : heat

caloric

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or relating to heat

2

: of, relating to, or containing calories

calorically

kə-ˈlȯr-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of caloric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Because the brain relies heavily on continuous fuel, extreme caloric deficits can force the organ to consume its own tissue. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Substantial error All four watches demonstrated substantial error in measuring caloric expenditure. — Jason Kostrna, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Scientists have searched for drugs that mimic some of the effects of caloric restriction without the side effects. — Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

That caloric deficit drives bone loss and muscle shrinkage. — New Atlas, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French calorique, from Latin calor

First Known Use

Noun

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for caloric

• dysphoric
• euphoric
• historic
• plethoric
• pyloric
• anaphoric
• metaphoric
• meteoric
• paregoric
• prehistoric
• pyrophoric
• boric

Kids Definition

caloric

adjective

ca·​lor·​ic

kə-ˈlȯr-ik, 

-ˈlōr-, 

-ˈlär-;

ˈkal-ə-rik

1

: of or relating to heat

2

: relating to or containing calories

calorically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

caloric

adjective

ca·​lo·​ric kə-ˈlȯr-ik, -ˈlōr-, -ˈlär-; ˈkal-ə-rik 

1

: of or relating to heat

2

: of or relating to calories

calorically

kə-ˈlȯr-i-k(ə-)lē, -ˈlōr-, -ˈlär- 

adverb