basal metabolic rate

noun

Definition of basal metabolic rate

: the rate at which heat is given off by an organism at complete rest

Examples of basal metabolic rate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The energy, or calories, your body burns just to keep you alive is called your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Jill Provost, Good Housekeeping, "How Many Calories Do You Need?," 20 Jan. 2016 And what exactly is basal metabolic rate, or resting metabolism? Erin Palinski-wade, Rd, Cde, Ldn, Good Housekeeping, "How Many Calories Should I Eat a Day?," 6 Aug. 2018 Researchers have found that in some places with warming water, fish with increased basal metabolic rates can’t get enough energy to adapt and also to conduct important survival tasks, like swimming. Joanna Klein, New York Times, "Clown Fish Need More Energy to Live in a Bleached Home," 10 Apr. 2018 Your basal metabolic rate, or resting metabolism, is the amount of energy or calories your body needs to perform basic functions like breathing and digesting food. Andrea Thelen, Ms, Detroit Free Press, "5 tips to rev up your metabolism," 30 Apr. 2018 This gave them an idea of the fish’s basal metabolic rate — that is, how much energy the animals needed to sit around and do nothing. Joanna Klein, New York Times, "Clown Fish Need More Energy to Live in a Bleached Home," 10 Apr. 2018 Well, in one research study of young women, basal metabolic rate spiked by 4.2 percent 16 hours following a strength-training session that lasted an hour and 40 minutes—the equivalent of burning an extra 60 calories, on average. K. Aleisha Fetters, SELF, "How Much Does Strength Training Really Increase Metabolism?," 21 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'basal metabolic rate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of basal metabolic rate

1917, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for basal metabolic rate

basal metabolic rate

noun

Medical Definition of basal metabolic rate

: the rate at which heat is given off by an organism at complete rest