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

Intermittent fasting and other timed eating regimens ultimately reduce caloric intake, raising similar concerns of slowing basal metabolism.

From Scientific American • Jun. 14, 2023

Most popular interest in basal metabolism centers around ways to kick it up a notch and increase our energy use while doing absolutely nothing, with the prospect of losing weight in the process.

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

The modern basal metabolism test, which measures the rate of body processes by measuring oxygen consumption, is a lineal descendant of the DuBois calorimeter.

From Time Magazine Archive

Any extraneous muscular movements are carried out in virtue of an increased oxidation of materials and the heat production rises above the level of the basal metabolism with increased muscular effort.

From Food in War Time by Lusk, Graham