Degrees are a unit of measurement used to quantify temperature. They help us understand how hot or cold something is. The most common scales for measuring temperature are the Celsius scale, where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees, and the Fahrenheit scale, where water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. Understanding degrees is important in everyday life, from checking the weather to cooking. For example, a recipe might require the oven to be set at 180 degrees Celsius for baking. Knowing the temperature helps ensure that food is cooked properly and safely.