basal metabolism

American  

noun

Physiology.

1. the minimal amount of energy necessary to maintain respiration, circulation, and other vital body functions while fasting and at total rest.

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basal metabolism British  

noun

1. the amount of energy required by an individual in the resting state, for such functions as breathing and circulation of the blood See basal metabolic rate

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basal metabolism Cultural  

1. The rate at which an inactive, resting organism expends energy.

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Etymology

Origin of basal metabolism

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Intuition might whisper that a brisk resting heart rate would also correlate with an increased basal metabolism, but that isn’t the case.

From Scientific American • Jun. 14, 2023

“That’s another contributor to your overall energy expenditure, in addition to basal metabolism and active energy expenditure.”

From Scientific American • Jun. 14, 2023

Its hormones regulate basal metabolism, oxygen use, nutrient metabolism, the production of ATP, and calcium homeostasis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

An unfailing test for exophthalmic goitre is the basal metabolism rate, measured by a simple breathing machine.

From Time Magazine Archive

Graham, quoted on minimal cost of food, 190–194; experiments by, to ascertain basal metabolism of body, 196.

From How to Live Rules for Healthful Living Based on Modern Science by Fisher, Irving