caliber

American  

[kal-uh-ber] / ˈkæl ə bər /

especially British, calibre

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

Etymology

Origin of caliber

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

Even better, he was the only offensive lineman of his caliber on the market.

From The Wall Street Journal

Domingo is still adjusting to a new caliber of fame.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mizumi also offers a surprisingly extensive vegetarian menu, something you don’t often see at restaurants of this caliber.

From Salon

Back then, he walked into a humming, world championship–caliber operation, where everything had been optimized to the slickest, shiniest possible standards.

From The Wall Street Journal

And two, players of McDuffie’s caliber are almost never available in free agency.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ability
• competence
• quality
• stature
• talent