calorie Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree at one atmosphere pressure; used by nutritionists to characterize the energy-producing potential in food
    large calorie; nutritionist's calorie; kilogram calorie; kilocalorie.
  2. noun unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure
    small calorie; gram calorie.

WordNet

Cal"o*rie noun
Etymology
F., fr. L. calor heat.
Definitions
  1. (Physics) The unit of heat according to the Frensc standard; the amount of heat requires to raise the temperature of one kilogram (sometimes, one gram) of water one degree centigrade, or from 0 to 1. Compfre the English standart unit. Foot pound.

Webster 1913