1. A unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius at atmospheric pressure
   "The nutritional label listed calories per serving";
   - gram calorie, small calorie, cal

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
   - kilogram calorie, kilocalorie, large calorie, nutritionist's calorie, Cal, kcal

Derived forms: calories

Type of: energy unit, heat unit, work unit

Encyclopedia: Calorie