Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

cal

noun

/kæl/

Definition

A unit of measurement for energy, often used in terms of heat.

Examples

One calorie is the amount of energy required to increase the temperature of a kilogram of water by one degree Celsius.
When discussing diet, people often refer to food’s calorie content.
The caloric content of a meal can influence dietary choices.

Meaning

In scientific contexts, particularly in physics and chemistry, ‘cal’ refers to the calorie, which is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.