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

However warmth may linger further south with some weather models hinting at temperatures in the mid to high-twenties Celsius later in the week.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

Iron, for example, changes from a BCC structure to an FCC structure at 912 degrees Celsius.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2026

Temperatures reached the mid-30s in Celsius as the heatwave in France continued.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Sea temperatures can drop below 16 degrees Celsius, making diving conditions difficult for much of the year.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

“Don’t worry,” Christoph yelled, “it’s not dangerous, it’s just cold. They’re not minus twenty Celsius like your freezers at home, they’re minus eighty. That’s why when I open them smoke comes out.”

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot