calory

A nutritionist calculates the calory content of a meal.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Unit of energy: "calory" (also spelled "calorie") is a unit of energy defined as the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius (at standard atmospheric pressure). It is commonly used to measure the energy content of food.
   • Small calorie: In scientific contexts, "calory" often refers specifically to the "small calorie" (cal), equivalent to approximately 4.184 joules.
   • Large calorie: In dietary contexts, "calory" can also refer to the "large calorie" (Cal or kcal), which equals 1,000 small calories and is used to express the energy value of foods.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • One gram of carbohydrate provides about four calories of energy. (A small unit of food energy.)
  • She counted every calory in her diet to lose weight. (Each unit of dietary energy.)
  • The nutrition label lists the calory content per serving. (The energy value in food.)

Advanced Usage

• "empty calory": a calory from food that provides energy but little or no nutritional value.

  • Sugary drinks are often full of empty calories. (They give energy but no vitamins or minerals.)

• "calory deficit": a state where the body uses more energy than it consumes, leading to weight loss.

  • He maintained a calory deficit by exercising and eating less. (He consumed fewer calories than he burned.)

Variants and Related Words

• Calorie (n): a more common spelling variant of "calory"; both are used interchangeably.

  • The calorie count of this meal is high. (The energy content is measured in calories.)

• Caloric (adj): relating to calories.

  • A high-caloric diet can lead to weight gain. (A diet rich in energy content.)

Synonyms

• Energy unit: a standard measure of energy.
• Kilocalorie: a larger unit equal to 1,000 small calories, often used in food contexts.

Related Idioms

• Burn calories: to use energy through physical activity.

  • Running burns many calories quickly. (Physical exercise consumes energy units.)

• Count calories: to monitor the energy content of food for dietary purposes.

  • She counts calories to maintain her weight. (She tracks the energy she consumes.)