celsius
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɛlsɪəs/
US
- /ˈsɛlsiəs/
Description
- Metric temperature scale
- Degree unit (°C)
- Water freezes at 0°C
- Water boils at 100°C
Imagine stepping outside on a summer day – is it a scorching 40°C, or a pleasant 25°C? That's where Celsius comes in. Named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius, this temperature scale is widely used around the world to measure heat and cold. Unlike Fahrenheit, which sets water’s freezing point at 32°F, the Celsius scale sets it at 0°C. Water boils at 100°C (at standard atmospheric pressure). So when you hear a weather report saying, "Today's high will be 30 degrees Celsius," they're telling you how hot it will feel. It’s the standard in science and in most countries, making it essential for understanding everything from cooking temperatures to global climate change.
Celsius is a temperature scale named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius, who developed it in 1742. Temperatures on this scale are measured in degrees Celsius (°C). It fits neatly into the metric system and the SI, using increments that make scientific calculations and conversions straightforward (a change of 1°C is the same size as a change of 1 kelvin). The Celsius scale defines 0°C as the freezing point of water and 100°C as the boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure. This makes it a convenient and intuitive way to describe everyday temperatures.
While Fahrenheit is still commonly used in the United States, Celsius dominates most other parts of the world – particularly in science, meteorology (weather forecasting), and cooking. When you see a recipe calling for an oven temperature of 180°C, or hear a news report stating that the temperature will reach 40°C today, they're using the Celsius scale to communicate heat levels.
Understanding Celsius is crucial not just for daily life but also for interpreting scientific data and global trends. Climate scientists use Celsius to track changes in Earth's average temperature, and doctors worldwide rely on it to assess a patient's fever. Whether you're checking the weather, baking a cake, or studying climate change, Celsius provides a standardized way to measure and understand the world around us – one degree at a time.
Examples
- 1
Everyday weather
It's 22 degrees Celsius outside today.
- 2
Weather forecast
The forecast says temperatures could fall to minus 5 degrees Celsius tonight.
- 3
Cooking units
The recipe gives the oven temperature in Celsius, not Fahrenheit.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- celsiusnoun