Celsius

American  

[sel-see-uhs, -shee-] / ˈsɛl si əs, -ʃi- /

noun

1. Anders 1701–44, Swedish astronomer who devised the Celsius temperature scale.

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adjective

1. Also Centigrade 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

Celsius British  

/ ˈsɛlsɪəs /

adjective

1.  C.  denoting a measurement on the Celsius scale

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Celsius ¹ Scientific  

/ 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

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Celsius ² Scientific  

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

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Celsius ¹ Cultural  

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

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Celsius ² Cultural  

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).)

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Etymology

Origin of Celsius

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

Example Sentences

They are also concentrated near the western edge of the Wyoming Craton and occur in regions where temperatures often exceed 700 degrees Celsius.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

Earlier measurements carried uncertainties of roughly 50 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to detect subtle changes.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

Saudi Arabia's National Center for Meteorology predicted daytime temperatures this week would hover between 42 and 47 degrees Celsius in Mecca during the hajj, which officially begins on Monday.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

The warmth may peak here around Wednesday and Thursday with temperatures hitting the mid-20s Celsius.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

It is the lowest temperature possible, a little more than 273 degrees Celsius below the freezing point of water.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife