caliper

or cal·li·per

[ kal-uh-per ]

noun

1. Usually calipers. an instrument for measuring thicknesses and internal or external diameters inaccessible to a scale, consisting usually of a pair of adjustable pivoted legs.
2. any of various calibrated instruments for measuring thicknesses or distances between surfaces, usually having a screwed or sliding adjustable piece. Compare vernier caliper.
3. thickness or depth, as of paper or a tree.
4. Usually calipers. the pincers of an earwig.
5. Automotive. the part of a disc-brake assembly that straddles the disc and presses the brake pads against it.
6. a similar part used with a hand brake on a bicycle.

verb (used with object)

1. to measure with calipers.

verb (used without object)

1. to use calipers.

caliper

/ ˈkælɪpə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of calliper

caliper

/ kăl′ə-pər /

1. An instrument consisting of two curved legs connected at a hinge, used to measure thickness and distance. Often used in the plural as calipers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of caliper¹

First recorded in 1580–90; presumably variant of caliber

Example Sentences

It took a mechanic failing to do up the bolts on a rear brake caliper after qualifying to stop Verstappen winning in Australia two weeks ago.

From BBC

Red Bull said his retirement was caused by a caliper causing the brake to bind on to the disc.

From BBC

To do the work, the team used a large lathe to spin a detached brake rotor and caliper.

From Science Daily

Using a delicate magnetic caliper employed by violin makers to measure in millimeters an instrument’s walls and veneers, the conservators tracked the wood’s thickness at short intervals along the crack.

From Los Angeles Times

Horne examines calipers found on an old operating table in the warehouse of the Sedro-Woolley Museum.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• adjust
• assess
• average
• calibrate
• check
• compute
• determine
• estimate
• evaluate
• fit
• gauge
• limit
• mark
• peg
• quantify
• rank
• regulate
• survey
• weigh