Celsius

[ sel-see-uhs, -shee- ]

noun

1. An·ders [ahn, -ders], 1701–44, Swedish astronomer who devised the Celsius temperature scale.

adjective

1. Also Cen·ti·grade []. pertaining to or noting a temperature scale Celsius scale in which 0° represents the ice point and 100° the steam point. : C
2. Thermodynamics. of or relating to a temperature scale having the same units as the Celsius scale but in which the zero point has been shifted so that the triple point of water has the exact value 0.01°; Celsius temperatures are computed from Kelvin values by subtracting 273.15 from the latter. : C Compare Kelvin ( def 3 ).

Celsius

/ ˈsɛlsɪəs /

adjective

1. denoting a measurement on the Celsius scale C

Celsius

¹

1. Swedish astronomer who invented the centigrade thermometer in 1742.

Celsius

²

/ sĕl′sē-əs /

1. Relating to a temperature scale on which the freezing point of water is 0° and the boiling point of water is 100° under normal atmospheric pressure.
2. See Note at centigrade

Celsius

¹

1. A temperature scale , also called centigrade , according to which water freezes at zero degrees and boils at one hundred degrees.

Celsius

²

1. A temperature scale in which zero degrees is the freezing point of water and 100 degrees is the boiling point. Temperature in this scale is generally denoted by °C or, in scientific usage, C alone. ( Compare Fahrenheit (see also Fahrenheit ).)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Celsius¹

C18: named after Anders Celsius (1701–44), Swedish astronomer who invented it

Example Sentences

"We are in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and time is not on our side."

From BBC

On Sunday, for example, maximum temperatures will be around 3-8 Celsius across the UK.

From BBC

Speaking to Salon in August, Dr. Ken Caldeira, an atmospheric scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science's Department of Global Ecology, warned that passing the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold would be a devastating benchmark.

From Salon

If atmospheric conditions are right, with sea surfaces temperatures higher than 27 Celsius, tropical cyclones here can develop quickly.

From BBC

As temperatures soared above 30 degrees Celsius, some passed out in the queue.

From BBC