caliber

especially British, cal·i·bre

[kal-uh-ber]

noun

1. the diameter of something of circular section, especially that of the inside of a tube.

   a pipe of three-inch caliber.

2. Ordnance.,  the diameter of the bore of a gun taken as a unit of measurement.

3. degree of capacity or competence; ability.

   a mathematician of high caliber.

4. degree of merit or excellence; quality.

   the high moral caliber of the era.

   Synonyms: distinction, worth

Other Word Forms

• calibered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caliber¹

1560–70; variant of calibre < Middle French ≪ Arabic qālib mold, last < Greek kālápous shoe last, equivalent to kāla- combining form of kâlon wood + poús foot ( -pod )

Example Sentences

With the quarterback of Herbert’s caliber, the Chargers want to open the passing lanes.

From Los Angeles Times

No matter how strange it might seem for a star of Swift’s caliber to announce her new album on a podcast of all places, it’s an undeniably savvy marketing play.

From Salon

“There are serious racial implications in firing a Black man of Ben’s caliber, in this fashion, at a time when diversity is under attack,” civil rights leader Al Sharpton said in a statement to Politico.

From Los Angeles Times

What we were about to watch was nowhere near the caliber of those classics — and Carter didn’t care.

From Los Angeles Times

In Florida and elsewhere, there were individuals of rare caliber who rose up in their day to defeat these right-wing despots.

From Salon

Related Words

• ability 
• competence 
• quality 
• stature 
• talent