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

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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

While the admission likely resulted in some stern emails hitting a manager’s inbox, it’s ultimately refreshing that a star of Damon’s caliber and influence came out and actually said it.

From Salon

The spate of moves is made all the more remarkable by the caliber of some of the coaches now looking for new jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Woods emphasized that while he’d been upset about the LIV episode, the return of a player of Koepka’s caliber had enormous upside.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Tour on Monday unveiled the “Returning Member Program,” which provides Koepka and other players of his caliber a fast track to reinstatement.

From The Wall Street Journal

“He’s had a tremendous season — very MVP caliber in every way,” Harbaugh said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ability
• competence
• quality
• stature
• talent