Plain English Meaning
A way of measuring how hot or cold something is, where freezing water is 0 and boiling water is 100. Pilots use this scale for almost all temperature readings in flying.
Full Definition
A unit of temperature measurement on the Celsius scale, in which water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees at standard sea-level pressure. Written as °C. Used throughout aviation for outside air temperature, engine temperatures, and weather reporting.
Context Anchor
Seen on temperature gauges, engine limitation charts, weather information, and performance charts, including turboprop engine discussions.
Derivation
Named after Anders Celsius, an 18th-century Swedish astronomer who proposed a 100- temperature scale based on the freezing and boiling points of water. The word 'degree' comes from Latin 'gradus,' meaning a — each degree is one step on the scale.