It is a unit of measuring temperature. Degree symbol is used to refer a certain temperature indicating various temperature changes or between the two temperatures. Centigrade scale is the name alternatively used for Celsius scale.
As far as its history is concerned, Anders Celsius ( 1701-1744), a Swedish Astronomer, was the man who actually developed temperature scale quite similar to it, that is why this scale is named after that.
Actually this unit was earlier called centigrade scale, then renamed on Anders Celsius for honoring his services, in 1948 as per records.
It is SI derived unit to measure temperature.
Its symbol is ℃
An interesting fact is reported about that before 1743 the B.pt of Water is 0 degree centigrade and freezing point was 100 degrees. But it was reversed in 1743 by the proposal of Jean-Pierre Christian. And this is known as universal accepted temperature convention whenever measuring water b.pt and F.pt.
Having discussed its definition, its usage context is crystal clear- to measure temperature as the most basic unit.
Amongst the various temperature units, Celsius scale is widely used because
Variants of Celsius scale are kelvin and Fahrenheit, mostly used after centigrade scale. You can convert it to other temperature units whenever necessary.
