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

Pints of Halo Top typically range from 270 to 360 calories, much lower than traditional ice creams. —Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

These individuals are taking in fewer calories than the average person. —Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 11 May 2026

Meals and snacks are plant-based, with ingredients pulled from The Ranch’s own organic gardens and nearby farms — portions are intentionally low-calorie and geared toward weight loss. —Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026

This is another reason for focusing on low-calorie snacks to reduce hunger. —Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 11 May 2026

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

• gram calorie
• large calorie
• small calorie

Rhymes for calorie

• galerie
• gallery
• mallory
• salary

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