Elwell, Walter A. Entry for 'Will'. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. . 1997.
see metabolic rate. basal metabolism. the minimal energy expended for the maintenance of respiration, circulation, peristalsis, muscle tonus, body temperature, glandular activity and the other vegetative functions of the body. See also metabolic rate.
Your basal metabolic rate or BMR is the number of calories your body burns in a day when operating at absolute minimum capacity.