Definition of: calorie

(kal′ə·rē) noun
1. One of two recognized units of heat used especially to express the heat– or energy–producing content of foods. The great, greater, large, or kilogram calorie is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water 1°C. The lesser, small, or gram calorie is the amount of heat required to raise one gram of water 1°C
2. Physiol. The large calorie, used as a measure of the energy value of foods or the heat output of organisms. Also cal′o·ry. [<F calorie <L calor heat]