The work done when a force of one newton applied to a point moves that application point one meter in the direction of application. Joule is named for James Prescott Joule (1818
See joule in Computer
A unit of energy in the MKS system. It is equal to 10,000,000 ergs in the CGS system. Surge protectors are often given joule ratings, but this refers only to the amount of energy they can absorb, not what gets through. See CGS system.