calorie

noun

cal·​o·​rie ˈka-lə-rē 

ˈkal-rē

variants or less commonly calory

plural calories

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

Examples of calorie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With a high carbohydrate and calorie count—as well as high levels of glucose—it’d be easy to discount dates as mere empty calories. —Sina Petri, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2024

This sweetener contains nearly half the calories of table sugar and is a source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS).2526 FOS is a type of soluble fiber, which your body does not digest. —Brierley Horton, Ms, Health, 8 Apr. 2024

The sport involves constant motion, so the children burn not just calories but also stress and anxiety. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

These suppressants aid in achieving a feeling of fullness quicker, thereby reducing calorie consumption. —Robert James and, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024

Today’s stroganoff, made with lean ground turkey and light sour cream, makes a cozy meal that won't weigh you down with excess calories and fat. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024

Famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where people have been forced to survive on less than 250 calories a day, according to Oxfam, an organization focused on alleviating global poverty. —NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024

Since January, residents of northern Gaza have been forced to survive on an average of just 245 calories a day, according to Oxfam. —Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

Similar to Chick Fil A, the sandwich is still under 400 calories with less fat than most. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French calorie, from Latin calor heat, from calēre to be warm — more at lee

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing calorie

• small calorie
• gram calorie
• large calorie

Kids Definition

calorie

noun

cal·​o·​rie

variants also calory

ˈkal-(ə-)rē 

plural calories

1

: a unit of heat:

a

: the heat energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius and equal to about 4.19 joules

called also small calorie

b

: the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water one degree Celsius and equal to 1000 small calories

—used especially to indicate the value of foods in the production of heat and energy

called also large calorie, kilocalorie

2

: an amount of food having an energy-producing value of one large calorie

Etymology

from French calorie "a unit of heat," from Latin calor "heat," from calēre "to be hot" — related to cauldron, nonchalant

Medical Definition

calorie

noun

cal·​o·​rie

variants also calory

ˈkal-(ə-)rē 

plural calories

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