the minimal amount of energy necessary to maintain respiration, circulation, and other vital body functions while fasting and at total rest.
Origin
1910-15
Examples from the web for basal metabolism
Energy intake tailored to basal metabolism and level of physical activity.
British Dictionary definitions for basal metabolism
basal metabolism
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
basal metabolism in Medicine
basal metabolismn. The minimum amount of energy required to maintain vital functions in an organism at complete rest, measured by the basal metabolic rate in a fasting individual.