calorie meaning and definition

CALORIE noun

Definition of Calorie (noun)

1. 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
   • synonyms: kilocalorie, kilogram calorie, large calorie, nutritionist's calorie
2. 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
   • synonyms: gram calorie, small calorie