TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
CELSIUS [4 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2021-12-22
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Metrology and Units of Measure
- Heat (Physics)
Universal entry(ies) Record 1
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- degree Celsius
1, record 1, English, degree%20Celsius
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- Celsius degree 2, record 1, English, Celsius%20degree
correct
- centigrade degree 3, record 1, English, centigrade%20degree
correct
- degree centigrade 3, record 1, English, degree%20centigrade
obsolete
- degree C 4, record 1, English, degree%20C
correct
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A unit representing temperature on a scale of 100 units between the freezing point (0°) and the boiling point (100°) of water at standard sea level atmospheric pressure which compares to 180 units on the Fahrenheit scale between 32 °F or 180 units. 4, record 1, English, - degree%20Celsius
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The degree Celsius ... is a conventional unit of temperature. Water freezes at 0 °C, a comfortable room-temperature is 20 °C, normal blood-temperature is near 37 °C, and water boils at 100 °C. 5, record 1, English, - degree%20Celsius
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Formerly called "Centigrade." 4, record 1, English, - degree%20Celsius
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Celsius: The name of Swedish astronomer, Anders Celsius, ... used to designate the centigrade type of thermometer and temperature-scale invented by him in 1742. 6, record 1, English, - degree%20Celsius
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 3 OBS
Degrees centigrade may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit by the following equation: °F = 9/5 (°C) + 32. 3, record 1, English, - degree%20Celsius
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Unités de mesure et métrologie
- Chaleur (Physique)
Entrée(s) universelle(s) Record 1
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- degré Celsius
1, record 1, French, degr%C3%A9%20Celsius
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- degré centigrade 2, record 1, French, degr%C3%A9%20centigrade
see observation, masculine noun, obsolete
- centigrade 1, record 1, French, centigrade
see observation, masculine noun, obsolete
- degré centésimal 3, record 1, French, degr%C3%A9%20cent%C3%A9simal
see observation, masculine noun, obsolete
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Nom spécial de l'unité de mesure de la température Celsius; intervalle de température identique au Kelvin (symbole : °C). 3, record 1, French, - degr%C3%A9%20Celsius
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
centigrade; degré centigrade : La conférence des Poids et Mesures de 1948 a remplacé cet emploi par degré Celsius. 2, record 1, French, - degr%C3%A9%20Celsius
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 3 OBS
Le mot «degré» s'abrège à l'aide d'un petit zéro placé en exposant immédiatement après le nombre. 36°. Toutefois, si l'échelle de mesure est précisée (C pour Celsius, F pour Fahrenheit, par exemple), les abréviations de «degré» et du nom de l'échelle sont séparées du nombre par un espace. [Exemple : ]Une température de 40 °C, de 42,5 °F. 4, record 1, French, - degr%C3%A9%20Celsius
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 4 OBS
On peut, dans un texte non spécialisé, noter la température en lettre si l'on s'en tient au nombre entier : «le thermomètre était descendu à trente-sept degrés au-dessous de zéro». 5, record 1, French, - degr%C3%A9%20Celsius
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 5 OBS
échelle de température Celsius : Dans cette échelle, les températures de fusion et d'ébullition de l'eau sous une pression de une atmosphère sont très voisines de 0 et 100 °C. L'échelle Celsius coïncide donc pratiquement avec l'échelle centésimale. 3, record 1, French, - degr%C3%A9%20Celsius
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Metrología y unidades de medida
- Calor (Física)
Entrada(s) universal(es) Record 1
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- grado Celsius
1, record 1, Spanish, grado%20Celsius
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
- grado centígrado 2, record 1, Spanish, grado%20cent%C3%ADgrado
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Unidad de temperatura que equivale a la centésima parte de la diferencia entre los puntos de fusión del hielo y de ebullición del agua, a la presión normal. 3, record 1, Spanish, - grado%20Celsius
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
grado Celsius: La Fundación del Español Urgente (Fundéu BBVA), con el asesoramiento de la Real Academia Española, indica que el nombre, en rigor, es grado Celsius (con el nombre del científico en mayúscula), aunque fuera de contextos técnicos se usa grado centígrado o simplemente grado. El símbolo establecido internacionalmente es °C, que consiste en un pequeño círculo seguido sin espacio de la letra C. Se deja un espacio entre la cifra y el símbolo: 23 °C. 4, record 1, Spanish, - grado%20Celsius
Record 2 - internal organization data 2013-08-27
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Metrology and Units of Measure
- Heat (Physics)
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- centigrade
1, record 2, English, centigrade
correct, see observation, adjective
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
- C 2, record 2, English, C
correct, adjective
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Relating to, conforming to, or having a thermometric scale on which the interval between the two standard points, the freezing point and the boiling point of water, is divided into 100 degrees, 0 representing the freezing point and 100 the boiling point. -abbr. C. 2, record 2, English, - centigrade
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Having a hundred degrees; usually applied to Celsius's thermometer, in which the space between the freezing and boiling points of water is divided into 100 degrees. (Symbolized by C., as 40 °C.) 3, record 2, English, - centigrade
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
The use of the name "centigrade" was abandoned by the General Conference on Weights and Measures in 1948 and replaced by "Celsius." 4, record 2, English, - centigrade
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Unités de mesure et métrologie
- Chaleur (Physique)
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- centigrade
1, record 2, French, centigrade
correct, see observation, adjective
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Divisé en cent degrés (en parlant d'une échelle de température). 1, record 2, French, - centigrade
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
centésimal : Dont les parties sont des centièmes. [...] [P. ex. :] Divisions centésimales d'un [...] thermomètre centigrade. 1, record 2, French, - centigrade
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
La Conférence des Poids et Mesures de 1948 a remplacé l'emploi de «centigrade» par Celsius. On dira, par exemple, «degré Celsius», et «échelle (de température) Celsius». 2, record 2, French, - centigrade
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Metrología y unidades de medida
- Calor (Física)
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- centígrado
1, record 2, Spanish, cent%C3%ADgrado
correct, adjective
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
- C 2, record 2, Spanish, C
correct, adjective
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
- Celsius 3, record 2, Spanish, Celsius
correct, adjective
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Dicho de una escala, en que cada división vale [la] centésima parte de la diferencia entre los puntos de fusión del hielo y de ebullición del agua. 3, record 2, Spanish, - cent%C3%ADgrado
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
La escala centígrado parte de la temperatura del hielo fundente igual a 0 grados. La temperatura del agua hirviente a la presión de una atmósfera corresponde al punto alto de la escala que es igual a 100 grados, de aquí que esta separación se divide en 100 partes, cada una de las cuales es un grado centígrado. 2, record 2, Spanish, - cent%C3%ADgrado
Record 3 - internal organization data 2011-08-19
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- thunder
1, record 3, English, thunder
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The sound that results from the formation of lightning. This burst of lightning expands air around it, producing an effect similar to an explosion, thus creating the noise. 2, record 3, English, - thunder
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Thunder is the noise caused by the explosive expansion of air due to the heat generated by a lightning discharge. Thunder may have a sharp cracking sound when lightning is close by, compared to a rumbling noise produced by more distant strokes. 3, record 3, English, - thunder
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Thunder ... moves through the atmosphere at a speed of about one mile in five seconds. To obtain the distance in miles of a lightning bolt, count the number of seconds between flash and thunder, then divide by five. 4, record 3, English, - thunder
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- tonnerre
1, record 3, French, tonnerre
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Onde acoustique, se manifestant par un bruit sec ou un roulement sourd, accompagnant un éclair et qui est due à la dilatation brusque de l'air par réchauffement le long du trajet de l'éclair. 2, record 3, French, - tonnerre
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
L'impression auditive de roulement perçue par un observateur à distance a pour origine un phénomène de battement entre les ondes émises tout au long de l'éclair. Le tonnerre peut être entendu jusqu'à environ 25 kilomètres de distance. En raison de la vitesse de la lumière (300 000 kilomètres par seconde) la détection visuelle d'un éclair peut être considérée comme instantanée, alors que le «coup de tonnerre» qui lui est associé se transfère à la vitesse du son, soit approximativement 330 mètres par seconde. Ainsi en divisant par trois l'écart de temps exprimé en secondes entre la perception de l'éclair et l'audition du coup de tonnerre, on obtient une estimation approchée de la distance de l'orage, en kilomètres. 2, record 3, French, - tonnerre
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- trueno
1, record 3, Spanish, trueno
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Ruido que produce un rayo cuando se propaga por la atmósfera. 2, record 3, Spanish, - trueno
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
En el instante que se produce el rayo se origina el trueno. El calor producido por la descarga eléctrica calienta el aire y lo expande bruscamente, dando lugar a ondas de presión que se propagan como ondas sonoras. Cuando esas ondas sonoras pasan sobre el observador, este percibe el ruido denominado trueno. Como la velocidad de la luz es de 300.000 km/s, el relámpago se ve casi al instante en que tiene efecto, pero no ocurre lo mismo con el trueno, ya que el sonido se propaga más lentamente, a unos 300 m/s. Por esto el trueno se oye después de desaparecer el relámpago. 3, record 3, Spanish, - trueno
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Se debe a la expansión rápida de los gases a lo largo de un canal de descarga eléctrica. 4, record 3, Spanish, - trueno
Record 4 - internal organization data 2011-06-03
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Metrology and Units of Measure
- Thermodynamics
- Atmospheric Physics
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- Kelvin temperature scale
1, record 4, English, Kelvin%20temperature%20scale
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- Kelvin absolute temperature scale 2, record 4, English, Kelvin%20absolute%20temperature%20scale
correct
- Kelvin scale 3, record 4, English, Kelvin%20scale
correct
- thermodynamic Kelvin temperature scale 4, record 4, English, thermodynamic%20Kelvin%20temperature%20scale
correct
- Kelvin scale of temperature 5, record 4, English, Kelvin%20scale%20of%20temperature
correct
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Thermodynamic scale of temperature (TK) defined by assigning to the triple point of pure water the temperature of 273.16 K. 6, record 4, English, - Kelvin%20temperature%20scale
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
A temperature scale can be defined theoretically for which zero degree corresponds to zero average kinetic energy ... Such a point is called absolute zero, and such a scale is known as an absolute temperature scale. The Kelvin temperature scale is an absolute scale having degrees the same size as those of the Celsius temperature scale; the Rankine temperature scale is an absolute scale having degrees the same size as those of the Fahrenheit temperature scale. 7, record 4, English, - Kelvin%20temperature%20scale
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The Kelvin absolute temperature scale corresponds to degrees centigrade in which water freezes at 273° and boils at 373°. 2, record 4, English, - Kelvin%20temperature%20scale
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Kelvin temperature scale [is] also called absolute temperature scale, thermodynamic temperature scale. 8, record 4, English, - Kelvin%20temperature%20scale
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Unités de mesure et métrologie
- Thermodynamique
- Physique de l'atmosphère
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- échelle Kelvin
1, record 4, French, %C3%A9chelle%20Kelvin
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- échelle de température Kelvin 2, record 4, French, %C3%A9chelle%20de%20temp%C3%A9rature%20Kelvin
correct, feminine noun
- échelle thermodynamique Kelvin 3, record 4, French, %C3%A9chelle%20thermodynamique%20Kelvin
correct, feminine noun
- échelle thermométrique Kelvin 4, record 4, French, %C3%A9chelle%20thermom%C3%A9trique%20Kelvin
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Échelle de température absolue définie en affectant conventionnellement au point triple de l'eau la valeur 273,16 °K; les points de fusion de la glace et d'ébullition de l'eau à la pression atmosphérique normale différant de 100 °K. 4, record 4, French, - %C3%A9chelle%20Kelvin
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
L'échelle Kelvin fut inventée par le mathématicien et physicien britannique Sir William Thomson Kelvin au XIXe siècle. Cette échelle de température absolue utilise les degrés Celsius, mais qui commence au zéro absolu, soit environ -273 °C. Dans cette échelle, la température de fusion de la glace est 273°K. Le Kelvin (K) est l'unité SI de température. Il mesure la température absolue, grandeur définie par la thermodynamique. 5, record 4, French, - %C3%A9chelle%20Kelvin
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
L'infinité possible d'échelles centésimales et la difficulté à obtenir les points fixes ont amené les scientifiques à choisir [...] l'échelle Kelvin. [...] C'est l'échelle légale. 6, record 4, French, - %C3%A9chelle%20Kelvin
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Dans l'usage courant, on utilise l'échelle Celsius, qui s'obtient en retranchant 273,15 des températures exprimées en kelvins, et dont l'unité est le degré Celsius [...] 7, record 4, French, - %C3%A9chelle%20Kelvin
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 3 OBS
Dans la pratique, on admet que le degré Celsius (°C) [...] et le Kelvin (K) sont strictement identiques. Dans ce cas, l'eau liquide se transforme en glace à 0 °C ou 273 K (soit 32 °F) et l'eau liquide bout sous la pression atmosphérique normale à 100 °C ou 373 K (soit 212 °F). 3, record 4, French, - %C3%A9chelle%20Kelvin
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Metrología y unidades de medida
- Termodinámica
- Física de la atmósfera
Record 4, Main entry term, Spanish
- escala de temperatura absoluta de Kelvin
1, record 4, Spanish, escala%20de%20temperatura%20absoluta%20de%20Kelvin
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 4, Synonyms, Spanish
- escala Kelvin 2, record 4, Spanish, escala%20Kelvin
feminine noun
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Escala termodinámica de temperatura (TK) definida asignando al punto triple del agua la temperatura de 273,16 °K. 1, record 4, Spanish, - escala%20de%20temperatura%20absoluta%20de%20Kelvin
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


