calorie

cal·o·rie | \ ˈka-lə-rē

, ˈkal-rē \

variants: or less commonly calory

plural calories

Definition of calorie

1a : 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

2a : 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

Examples of calorie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dogs, especially smaller breeds, require far fewer calories than humans do and are easy to overfeed. — Texas A&m University, Houston Chronicle, "PET TALK: Resolutions for a paw-some New Year," 11 Jan. 2020 What the future holds for White Claw After White Claw soared in popularity in 2019, there was a shortage of the gluten free and low calorie sparkling malt beverage nationwide. — Jen Fifield, azcentral, "A White Claw factory is opening in Arizona this summer. Here's what you need to know," 8 Jan. 2020 Impossible Pork has 220 calories in a four-ounce serving. — Author: Dee-ann Durbin, Anchorage Daily News, "The other fake meat: Impossible Foods unveils pork, sausage," 7 Jan. 2020 Impossible Pork has 220 calories in a four-ounce serving. — Fortune, "Impossible Foods Unveils the Other Fake Meat," 7 Jan. 2020 The vegan pork carries a similar amount of protein and iron as conventional ground pork but less cholesterol, fat and calories — and much more sodium. — Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, "Move over, Impossible Burger. Impossible Pork is coming to Burger King," 6 Jan. 2020 This dried bark powder contains more than 500 calories per pound. — Tim Macwelch, Outdoor Life, "8 Ways to Use Evergreen Trees in a Survival Situation," 23 Dec. 2019 From sweet and spicy to just plain decadent, here are 16 unique hot chocolates that are worth your time — and the calories. — Sarah Kuta, The Know, "16 over-the-top Colorado hot chocolates — some packed with booze — to get you through the winter," 18 Dec. 2019 One study suggests that in some seasons, 5-year-olds can gather half their daily calories by themselves. — Colin Barras, Science | AAAS, "Playing with tools—and weapons—was a ‘normal’ part of prehistoric childhood," 18 Dec. 2019

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about calorie

Dictionary Entries near calorie

Statistics for calorie

Last Updated

16 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Calorie.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calorie. Accessed 27 January 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for calorie

calorie

noun

English Language Learners Definition of calorie

: a unit of heat used to indicate the amount of energy that foods will produce in the human body

See the full definition for calorie in the English Language Learners Dictionary

calorie

noun

cal·o·rie | \ ˈka-lə-rē

, ˈkal-rē \

Kids Definition of calorie

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

calorie

noun

cal·o·rie

variants: also calory \ ˈkal-(ə-)rē

plural calories

Medical Definition of calorie

1a : 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

2a : 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

Keep scrolling for more